Portimonense vs Benfica Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Portuguese Primeira Liga
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
THE FACTS
When is Portimonense vs Benfica on and what time does it start? Portimonense vs Benfica will take place on Sunday 24th September, 2023 – 18:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Portimonense vs Benfica? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Portimonense vs Benfica on in the UK? Some Portuguese Primeira Liga matches are televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports in the UK so it is worth checking their schedules
Where can I Portimonense vs Benfica in the UK? If televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports, the match can be streamed on their respective streaming platforms
THE LOWDOWN
PORTIMONENSE
Portimonense have struggled throughout the last 18 months or so. After starting last season relatively well, they managed just five victories in their last 30 matches of the season and ended up finishing just above the bottom three and the relegation places. They are expected to fight against the drop throughout this campaign.
They begin this weekend’s round of fixtures sitting in the bottom-half of the table but they have improved after a terrible start to the season. They started with a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Gil Vicente before losing 4-1 at home to Boavista. Since then, though, they have picked up seven points in three matches and defeated Vitoria last weekend.
BENFICA
Under the management of former PSV Eindhoven and Bayer Leverkusen boss Roger Schmidt, Benfica reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League and also reclaimed the Portuguese Primeira Liga title. They have lost striker Goncalo Ramos over the summer but they have made some ambitious signings, such as the return of Angel Di Maria on a free transfer from Juventus.
The Lisbon club come into this on the back of a shock 2-0 defeat at home to Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg in their most recent outing, during the week, in the opening match of their UEFA Champions League group stage campaign. So far this season in the league, they have won all four matches since an opening day 3-2 loss to Boavista.
THE TEAM NEWS
PORTIMONENSE
Paulo Sergio’s Portimonense have a fully fit and available squad for this weekend’s encounter with no fresh injury concerns of players unavailable due to suspension.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Silvestre; Henrique, Tornich, Relvas, Seck; Carlinhos, Dener, Nonoca; Jasper, Araujo, Oliveira
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
BENFICA
Roger Schmidt, like Paulo Sergio, is able to name an unchanged eleven for this weekend with no injuries or suspensions for the trip to face Portimonense.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Bah, A.Silva, Otamendi, Aursnes; Neves, Kokcu; Di Maria, R.Silva, Joao Mario; Musa
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
This is a real mis-match this weekend. Portimonense, it could be argued, have actually been the worst team in the top-flight for around 12 months but they did manage a shock victory last weekend to potentially spark something into life. Benfica very much do need a wake up call and they will hopefully view and use their 2-0 loss to Salzburg as just that. Despite the very recent results, a heavy away win remains the most likely outcome for this one.
TIP: BENFICA TO WIN
