Nacional VS Benfica Match Prediction

  • Logo2016-08-27
  • Logo19:30:00
Nacional
VS
Benfica

Our Prediction Tip

Benfica will win this match.

The last six meetings between the sides have all been won by Benfica, so there appears to be little chance of an upset in this game if the head-to-head records are taken into account. Benfica won 4-1 both home and away against Nacional in the Primeira Liga last season and they will be expected to continue that dominant record in this Saturday match at the Estadio da Madeira.

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Nacional v Benfica: Prediction

Nacional have failed to score a single goal in any of their last five games, including pre-season friendlies, so it is very hard to see them getting anything out of this Primeira Liga fixture, particularly taking into account the fact Benfica have won 12 games in a row in the league on the road. Nacional have been losing at both half-time and full-time in five of their six previous Primeira Liga matches and that sequence could well be extended this weekend.

Nacional v Benfica: Betting Tips

Benfica are one of the hottest favourites in the whole of Europe this weekend and they can be backed at a price of 4/9 to take the three points on their trip to Estoril, with the hosts available at odds of 12/1 and the bookies offering the draw at a top price of 4/1. 

The handicap market is of interest here and Benfica -1 is a very tempting 6/5, with the Portuguese giants having to win by two clear goals for this bet to be a winner. After Benfica won 4-1 home and away in this fixture last year, backing them to beat Estoril 4-1 again at a massive 25/1 has to be worth considering at such a large price.

Nacional have only played one match in the Primeira Liga this season, a 2-0 loss to Arouca, and this will be the first time they have played in front of their own fans in the new campaign. However, with no major injury concerns for this match, coach Manuel Machado could opt to name the same side with his team holding out little hope of earning a positive result at home to Benfica anyway.

Nacional likely XI:

  • Goalkeeper:-Silva

  • Defenders:-Garcia, Cesar, Figueiredo, Sequeira

  • Midfielders:-Ghazal, Santana, Hamzaoui, Willyan, Agra

  • Forwards:-Cadiz

A disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Vitoria Setubal in Benfica's last game might convince the team's coach, Rui Vitoria, to make a few changes for this match. Raul Jimenez came off the bench and scored a penalty to equalise in that game and could be given a place in the team as a result, while Eliseu could come into the team at left-back in place of Alex Grimaldo. Star striker Jonas is still an injury doubt, which is a major concern for Vitoria ahead of this match.

Benfica likely XI:

  • Goalkeeper:-Cesar

  • Defenders:-Semedo, Lindelof, Lopez, Eliseu

  • Midfielders:-Horta, Fejsa, Cervi, Pizzi, Jimenez

  • Forwards:-Mitroglou

The absence of Jonas has had an impact on Benfica\'s start to the season, although four points from two matches is far from a disastrous opening to the new campaign. Regardless of whether the prolific forward is fit to take his place in the side, Benfica should have far too much quality for Nacional in this match and they should take the points quite easily.
Benfica have kept a clean sheet in five of their last six Primeira Liga away matches.