Benfica Lisbon vs Boavista Prediction & Betting Tips - Liga Portugal

Prediction published on 01/07/2020, 14:39  by James | Modified on 01/07/2020 at 15:39 in Liga Portugal Predictions

Benfica will be desperate to end an awful run of form when they host Boavista on Saturday in Liga NOS action. The current champions are second in the table, six points behind Porto thanks to consecutive defeats against Santa Clara and Maritimo. They have five games to overturn that points deficit and will do so without Bruno Lage, the coach resigning after their latest setback. Boavista are ninth in the table, unlikely to finish in the European places, of which they are 15 points off, or in the relegation zone, of which they are 11 points clear. Benfica have been abysmal in the second half of the season and they have failed to win seven of their last eight matches. They are trying to tempt Mauricio Pochettino to take over a failing team, although the title may now be out of reach. Lage's power over the dressing room had clearly waned in recent months and the team may show a perverse improvement after his departure. They face a potentially tough test in a Boavista team that has won three of their last four matches.

The visitors have a poor record against Benfica in recent seasons, losing their last four meetings. Benfica scored at least four goals in three of those fixtures but the home side will be more focused on fixing a leaky defence than running up a cricket score. Benfica have failed to keep clean sheets in five of their last six matches, an identical record to Boavista. Away from home, Boavista are decent (5-4-5) but they have failed to win three of their last four games on the road. We predict that Benfica will offer some reaction to their manager departing. Back them to come out of the blocks roaring with a half-time/full-time win bet.