Arouca vs Benfica Betting Tips

Arouca just about escaped relegation from Portuguese Primeira Liga last season. They scored just 26 goals in 34 games last season and their defence wasn’t much better. They got their 2015-16 campaign off to a positive start with a 2-0 away win over Moreirense.

Nuno Coelho and Maurides scored goals in a second half that Arouca controlled. A few of the squad’s younger players have matured and Arouca should be able to win enough games to survive another season in the Primeira Liga. Over the last two seasons, Arouca has lost all four games against Benfica, with the combined scoreline sitting at 13-1.

Benfica’s victory over Estoril shouldn’t be overblown. It finished up as an impressive 4-0 result, but it took until the 75th minute for Benfica to break the deadlock and their opponents could have easily scored goals either side of halftime.

Manager Rui Vitoria will be pleased with the attacking displayed by his side. The defending champions have lost a couple of players from the squad that won two straight Primeria Liga’s, but young players like Semedo, Andrade, Guedes and Talisca should provide Benfica fans with plenty of optimism.

There’s two elements to our betting tips for this contest. We cannot see Arouca picking up a first win, or even a first point against Benfica in league play. However, an improved club will surely test out Benifca’s youth. We’re not willing to summarily dismiss poor preseason form and some apparent struggles in cohesion amongst the squad.

This game will involve a few goals, but Benfica will find a way to score one more goal. The best odds are on the Goals Over 2.5 line.