Benfica - Academico de Viseu: A winning start to the season for Benfica? Prediction for the first match of the season
In the opening round of the Portuguese Liga, we will see a meeting between Benfica and Academico de Viseu, which will take place on Sunday, August 9, kicking off at 21:30 CET, and I am offering a bet on it.
Benfica - Academico de Viseu: Match preview
Academico de Viseu have reached Portugal’s top division for the first time in 40 years, and the team is now preparing for its return to the top flight. Moreover, they have been handed a very difficult opponent in the opening round – Benfica, one of the giants of Portuguese football.
The Eagles, as expected, are clear favourites, as coach Marco Silva’s ideas are increasingly being absorbed by the team. Benfica produced some excellent football in the first leg of the Europa League third qualifying round, where they really demolished Hearts 6-1. Moreover, this will already be their fourth competitive match of the season, so they are clearly in better shape.
It is difficult to imagine the Portuguese Liga 2 runners-up having much of a chance of standing up to the Eagles in what is likely to be a match dominated by Benfica. Academico de Viseu collected 59 points over 34 rounds, finishing second ahead of their nearest rivals on tiebreakers. They have returned to the top flight for the first time in many years and will now do everything possible to retain their top-flight status. Although that will clearly be very difficult.
Match facts
- Academico de Viseu will play in Portugal’s top division for the first time in 40 years.
- Benfica have won their last three matches.
- Benfica have scored at least one goal in each of their previous 19 matches.
- Academico de Viseu have won only one of their last four games.
Probable line-ups
- Benfica: Soares; Bah, Araujo, Lenglet, Dahl; Barreiro, Barrenechea; Rafa Silva, Sudakov, Prestianni; Pavlidis
- Academico de Viseu: Sampaio; Barcelos, R Pereira, Correia, G Costa; L Silva, Messeguem; Ceitil, Kahraman, Zamora; A Clovis
Prediction
Benfica are clear favourites for this match, and I think they will be able to win this encounter, and do so convincingly. I suggest betting on Benfica’s individual total of over 2.5 goals.
