Prediction: Portimonense vs Benfica

Verdict: Over 3.5 goals scored – yes

Best Odds: 41/20

Bookmaker: 888sport

Benfica currently sit at the top of the standings, and they are looking to take another step towards the title. They will visit Portimonense on Wednesday, a struggling side that currently sits in relegation zone with nine left games in the schedule. Kick-off for this match has been scheduled for Wednesday at 19:15 GMT.

Portimonense

Portimonense are coming off a 1-0 home win over Gil Vicente the last time out. That result should boost the team’s confidence ahead of this fixture, but their recent performances have been less than inspiring. The home side enter this matchup having won just one of their last five contests (W1, D2, L2). To make things even more complicated, they also boast a W1, D3, L1 mark during their last five contests at home. That’s not the form you would like to carry when going up against one of the strongest teams in the league such as Benfica. As things stand now, Portimonense currently sit in 17th place of the standings with 19 points (W3, D10, L12). If the season ended today, they would get relegated to the country’s second-tier. With nine games left in the schedule and six points adrift the 16th place, time is running out for them. They must get a positive result against Benfica at all costs.

Team News

Full strength ahead of the match. No injuries or suspensions reported.

Benfica

Benfica will always be considered as a title contender in the Primeira Liga. The 2019-20 season has not been any different, but it remains to be seen whether they will be able to lift the trophy once it’s all said and done. The Eagles currently sit in first position of the standings, although they are tied with Porto at 60 points (W19, D3, L3). Benfica, however, currently own the league’s best attack (52 goals scored) and meanest defence (14 goals conceded). That should be a positive considering how tight the standings are. If there is one negative area, however, is that Benfica have won just one of their last five league contests (W1, D3, L1). They are also coming off three straight draws, including last week’s one at home against a struggling Tondela side. Porto have gone winless in their past two matches (D1, L1), but that’s not expected to continue for a long period of time. Benfica must turn things around before it’s too late.

Team News

Full strength ahead of the match. No injuries or suspensions reported.

Key Factors to Consider

• Portimonense have one minor thing going for them. They came away with the three points the last time Benfica visited this venue (2-0 win).
• The hosts have gathered just 12 points at home this season (W2, D6, L4). However, that tally represents 63.15 % of their season haul.
• Benfica have lost just once in their previous nine meetings against Portimonense this century (W6, D2, L1).
• The visitors have also averaged 4.5 goals scored in their previous two meetings against this opponent. Portimonense have scored just once during those matches.
• The last five H2H league matches between these two sides have averaged 3.8 total goals.

Conclusion

Benfica have the league’s best attack and, despite playing on the road, are huge favourites according to bookmakers. The visitors have also scored at least three goals in each of their last three wins against Portimonense.

Given the fact that both clubs are in desperate need of a positive result, I believe this will be a very open game. One that will finish with over 3.5 total goals.

Verdict: Over 3.5 goals scored – yes

Best Odds: 41/20

Bookmaker: 888sport