Benfica Lisbon vs Santa Clara Prediction & Betting Tips - Liga Portugal

Prediction published on 26/05/2023, 16:40  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 26/05/2023 at 16:43 in Liga Portugal Predictions

A top-versus-bottom encounter will decide the Primeira Liga title this season when Benfica hosts Santa Clara this Saturday. The hosts are two points clear at the top of the league, while the visitors will have to prepare for life in the second division next season. With a superior goal difference of 11 over Porto in second place, a draw should be enough to earn Benfica their 38th league title. The hosts pulled off a remarkable 2-2 draw in their last match against Sporting Lisbon, with two second-half goals helping them to salvage a crucial point. That result takes their recent record to five matches unbeaten, including four wins and a draw. Benfica have been excellent at home this season and have only suffered one defeat in 16 matches on their home patch, along with one draw and 14 wins. They come into this one having kept two clean sheets in their last two home matches. Aguias won the reverse fixture against this opponent 3-0 and couldn’t have asked for a better fixture on the final day with a title on the line. They should go on to lift the trophy. 

Meanwhile, despite winning their last match 1-0 over Portimonense, Santa Clara’s fate was decided for them, with Maritimo managing a clutch 1-0 win over Vizela last Friday. The visitors are four points behind Maritimo, who currently occupy the relegation playoff spot and will play this match out as a formality with no chance of survival. Over their last six matches, Santa Clara have won two, drawn one, and lost three, but their major downfall this season has been their away record.  The visitors have failed to win any of their last 11 matches on the road and come into this one on an eight-match losing streak. Os Acoreanos have not won an away fixture since October 2022. They've also failed to beat this opponent in their last five attempts dating back to 2020 and have been outscored 13-3 in that time. While they do still have a chance of pulling off the biggest upset of the season in this one, it seems extremely unlikely.