Arouca vs Benfica Lisbon Prediction & Betting Tips - League Cup

Prediction published on 30/10/2023, 18:43  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 30/10/2023 at 21:42 in Football Predictions

Arouca will play host to Benfica in gameweek two of the Taca de Liga on Tuesday evening. The hosts lead the group with three points and this will be Benfica’s first game in the competition. Arouca kicked off their League Cup campaign with a 2-1 win over AVS last month. Since then, though, they have struggled for form. Arouquenses lost each of their next three league matches either side of the international break to Chaves, Sporting Lisbon and Moreirense last weekend. Those results extended their recent record to five consecutive league losses, while they have failed to win any of their last eight. The visitors have not won an away league game this season and are currently in 15th place in the Primeira Liga, level with Vizela in the relegation playoff spot. Arouca have lost each of their last five games against this opponent and are the clear outsiders in this match. 

Meanwhile, with matches coming thick and fast, Benfica have hit a bit of a stumbling block of late. They returned from the international break with a solid 4-1 Taca de Portugal victory over Lusitania but are winless in their last two. The first of those matches ended in a 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad in the Champions League, followed by a 1-1 draw to Casa Pia over the weekend. With a busy schedule over the next few months, it will be interesting to see how much of a priority The Eagles consider this cup to be. In league terms, Benfica are on a four-match winning streak in away matches. They are also in second place and just three points behind the current league leaders Sporting Lisbon. The visitors have outscored this opponent 13-1 in their last five meetings.