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Benfica
Primeira Liga | Gameweek 11
Dec 29, 2020 at 6pm UK
Estádio da Luz
Portimonense

Benfica
2 - 1
Portimonense

Nunez (13'), Silva (23')
Otamendi (40'), Waldschmidt (59'), Taarabt (90+5')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Gilberto (90+2' og.)
Cande (30'), Willyan (34'), Moufi (54'), Beto (76')

Preview: Benfica vs. Portimonense - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Tuesday's Primeira Liga clash between Benfica and Portimonense, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Benfica entertain Portimonense on Tuesday evening in the Primeira Liga as the hosts attempt to keep pace with the leading pack at the top of the table.

Jorge Jesus's side are currently two points behind league leaders Sporting Lisbon and two ahead of fierce rivals Porto in what is shaping up to be an exciting title race in Portugal.


Match preview

Benfica's Darwin Nunez celebrates with a teammate after scoring against Rangers on November 5, 2020© Reuters

The Eagles will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat at the hands of Porto in the Portuguese Super Cup last time out.

A 2-0 loss on Wednesday saw the season's first piece of silverware go to the Dragons, and Benfica's supporters will demand a response going into this one.

Jesus's men are on a three-game winning streak in the league, and if they have serious ambitions of wrestling their league crown back from Sergio Conceicao's side, then they cannot afford to slip up in midweek.

Their hopes will largely depend on forwards Haris Seferovic and Gian-Luca Waldschmidt, with the duo responsible for 11 of the side's 23 Primeira Liga goals to date.

Portimonense were saved from relegation in 2019-20 in extraordinary fashion after Vitoria Setubal were demoted to the third division of Portuguese football due to issues with licensing and finances.

Antonio Folha's men finished in 17th position last season, one point and one place below Setubal, meaning they should now be competing in the second tier, but were given another chance to maintain their top-flight status by the Portuguese FA's decision.

The Estadio Municipal de Portimao outfit have so far failed to take advantage of their good fortune, though.

Just two wins from their opening 10 league games have left them at the foot of the table and facing another battle to stay in the division.

Benfica Primeira Liga form: WLLWWW
Benfica form (all competitions): WDWDWL

Portimonense Primeira Liga form: LLLWLD
Portimonense form (all competitions): LLLWLD


Team News

Benfica head coach Jorge Jesus pictured on November 5, 2020© Reuters

Benfica have been hit by an outbreak of coronavirus in the squad ahead of this festive fixture.

The trio of Pizzi, Jardel and teenage striker Goncalo Ramos all returned positive COVID-19 test results prior to Christmas and will all be absent on Tuesday after entering a period of self-isolation.

They join Gabriel, Andre Almeida and Barcelona loanee Jean-Clair Todibo on the sidelines putting serious strain on Jesus's squad.

Portimonense have significantly less injury and illness concerns than their more affluent opponents ahead of this encounter.

Folha will be without attacking midfielder Lucas Fernandes after the 23-year-old injured his cruciate ligament last month, as well as Pedro Sa, who picked up a problem a few weeks ago.

Benfica possible starting lineup:
Vlachodimos; Grimaldo, Vertonghen, Otamendi, Gilberto; Everton, Weigl, Chiquinho, Pedrinho; Nunez, Seferovic

Portimonense possible starting lineup:
Samuel; Moufi, Possignolo, Antonio, Anzai; Clemente, Rocha; Boa Morte, Luquinha, Da Silva; Fabricio


SM words green background

We say: Benfica 3-0 Portimonense

The gulf in class between the two sides should show on Tuesday, with Benfica running out comfortable winners. Despite Jesus's side suffering from injuries and a coronavirus outbreak, they should have too much quality for a Portimonense side stuck at the bottom of the table.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 2.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 2.5:data



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Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Benfica win with a probability of 77.85%. A draw had a probability of 14.1% and a win for Portimonense had a probability of 8.07%.

The most likely scoreline for a Benfica win was 2-0 with a probability of 11.82%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 3-0 (10.43%) and 1-0 (8.94%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (6.63%), while for a Portimonense win it was 0-1 (2.51%). The actual scoreline of 2-1 was predicted with an 8.8% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Benfica would win this match.


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Game History

How you voted: Benfica vs Portimonense

Benfica
91.9%
Draw
2.7%
Portimonense
5.4%
37
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Benfica head coach Jorge Jesus pictured on November 5, 2020
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rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sporting Lisbon1111003953433
2Porto119022882027
3Benfica108112872125
4Santa ClaraSanta Clara117041412221
5Braga116231911820
6Vitoria de GuimaraesGuimaraes115331211118
7FamalicaoFamalicao11452129317
8MoreirenseMoreirense115241514117
9Casa Pia113441014-413
10Rio AveRio Ave113351020-1012
11Gil Vicente112451419-510
12Estoril PraiaEstoril11245816-810
13AVS11245919-1010
14BoavistaBoavista11236715-89
15Estrela Amadora112361020-109
16Nacional10226615-98
17AroucaArouca11227619-138
18SC FarenseFarense11128518-135


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