Benfica vs Estoril Praia Prediction

The Primeira Liga will play host to Benfica taking on Estoril Praia. In a tight knit battle at the top of the table, home side Benfica will be searching for the win that could see them jump to the top of the table. What a Christmas present that would be for Bruno Lage and his side. At the other end of the league table, travelling side Estoril Praia are sat two points above the relegation zone, with three wins coming from 14 games, they will be looking for a miracle in this game.

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Key Stats

• Benfica have only lost one game in the league so far this season, conceding the least goals of any team on top of this
• Benfica are on an undefeated streak in all competitions lasting since November 6th
• Estoril Praia have scored four goals in their last five games while Benfica have six

Team Previews, Form and Standout Players

Coming into this game, Benfica are the team to beat. Across all competitions, Benfica have only lost three games so far and with only one of those coming in the league, the race to conquer Portugal is defiantly one they will win. 26-year-old Kerem Akturkoglu has been unplayable under Bruno Lage, with six goals and four assists so far in the league. And their defence has been as solid as their attack, with goalkeeper Anatolii Trubin securing seven clean sheets from 14 matches with only eight goals conceded across the remaining seven.

The away side come into this in complete contrast, with Estoril Praia obtaining two losses from their last five games. Former Everton goalkeeper Joel Robles has not been enjoying the same reception as the opposing goalkeeper, with 17 goals conceded so far in the league, him and his defence are ranked one of the lowest in the league with goals concede. Scotsman Jordan Holsgrove has been consistently decent for Estoril all season and has placed himself high up in chances created so far this season.

Benfica Preview

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Predicted Line-Up: Anatolii Trubin; Alvaro Carreras, Nicolás Otamendi, Tomas Araujo, Alexander Bah; Florentino Luis, Fredrik Aursnes; Kerem Akturkoglu, Orkun Kökcü, Ángel Di Maria; Vangelis Pavlidis

After being appointed Benfica manager in September, Bruno Lage has tremendously exceeded any expectations made about him and how he would fair in the Liga Portugal. Eleven wins from fourteen so far and his team raked second overall for goals scored and ranked first for least goals against, it is safe to say Lage and his side have taken the league by storm so far.

Ángel Di Maria has been electric since returning to Benfica and with eight goal contributions in the league, he has been a vital piece to this Benfica side. Partnered up with the opposite winger Akturkoglu who has been shining since the season began, Benfica are a dangerous side for any defence that stand in their way.

Estoril Praia Preview

Formation: 3-4-3

Predicted Line-Up: Joel Robles; Felix Bacher, Pedro Alvaro, Kevin Boma; Fabricio Garcia, Jordan Holsgrove, Vinicius Zanocelo, Wagner Pina; Joao Carvalho, Alejandro Marques, Hélder Costa

A defeat in their last game, Estoril Praia will be nervous approaching this game as in front of goal is where the team has struggled. Collecting five goals so far in this league campaign, Venezuelan striker Alejandro Marques has done everything he can to be a danger up top, but with only six different goal scorers so far this season, Ian Cathro will be looking to improve on the attacking threat his team are struggling to posses. A fix up in the defence is also needed as the brute strength of the Benfica attack will be too much for the Estoril defence with the form it is in, conceding nine goals in their last five games.

Head to Head Stats: Benfica vs Estoril Praia

The away side going into this game have never won a game against Benfica and have only ever managed four draws amongst the 25 games played between the two sides. The most recent game at the Estádio do Benfica resulted in a 3-1 victory for the home side and with the ruthlessness they have been showing this season, a Benfica win is going to be the likely outcome.

Betting Tips for Benfica vs Estoril Praia

Against a side they have never beat who just happen to be dominating the league at the minute, I think it is safe to say Benfica will walk this game but how much will they win by. But Benfica have not kept a clean sheet against Estoril Praia since 2016.

For this reason, our betting experts say that Benfica to win and Both Teams To Score is the best value tip for this game. With odds of 17/10, there is potential that a bet of £10 could result in a payout of £27, totalling £17 profit.

Final Prediction: Benfica vs Estoril Praia

Benfica 4-1 Estoril

Benfica will be simply too strong for the travelling side, but Estoril know what it takes to get through the Benfica defence as they have confidently done for the last eight years.