Prediction and odds for the game: Benfica (1/6) v Tondela (14/1)

We are backing Carlos Vinicius to be the first goalscorer at odds of 13/5

When: Thursday, 4th June 2020, Kick-off 19:15

Where: The Estadio da Luz

On Thursday night, Benfica host Tondela at the Estadio da Luz, as the home side look to return to the top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga.

Benfica

At the time of writing, Benfica are second in the table, a point behind league leaders Porto. However, Sergio Conceicao’s team visit Famalicao on Wednesday night, so the reigning could be trailing their title rivals by four points when they kick-off this clash. That means that the Eagles cannot afford to slip up in this clash.

Benfica head into vital encounter on the back of just one win in their last five Primeira Liga matches. A 1-1 draw at Vitoria Setubal makes the home side three matches unbeaten in the Portuguese top-flight, although two of those games have finished all-square.

Their recent league matches have been low-scoring, with six of their last eight matches have produced under 2.5 goals, including their previous four matches in the Primeira Liga.

Benfica’s usual strong home form in the Portuguese top-flight has slipped recently, as they have picked up just a point from their last two league games on home soil. However, the Eagles have won 14 of their last 17 home games in the league.

Tondela

The visitors are nine points clear of the relegation zone after a slightly inconsistent campaign. The visitors head into this tough game having failed to win in five league outings, whilst winning just once in their previous 11 games in the Primeira Liga. Last time out, they drew 1-1 all against Boavista.

The game last time out was typical of Tondela’s recent outings in the Portuguese top-flight, as it was low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals scored in five of their last six league outings. Despite their recent low-scoring games, Tondela have kept just two clean sheets in their last 12 league matches.

Tondela’s recent away form has been woeful, as they have suffered four defeats in their last five matches on the road, winning just once in the process. The visitors have been poor at both ends of the pitch on their travels, as they have conceded at least two in four of their last six away matches while scoring just two goals in their last five away games in the Primeira Liga.

Conclusion

Even with Benfica in unconvincing form, it is difficult to see past a home win in this clash. However, a home win does represent much value. Instead, we are taking a punt on over 2.5 goals scored, as the visitors have been poor at the back on their travels in the Primeira Liga of late. We are also backing Benfica’s Brazilian striker Carlos Vinicius to be the first goalscorer. The youngster is the Eagles top scorer with 15 league goals this season.

Verdict: We are backing over 2.5 goals scored at odds of 3/5 and/or Carlos Vinicius to be the first goalscorer at odds of 13/5. (All odds are taken from Bet365).

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Will Benfica keep their title defence on track against Tondela?