Belenenses vs Benfica predictions, betting tips & match preview

Even at this early stage, Benfica are already looking on course for the title in Portugal. They’ve made an unbeaten start to the new season, and they’ve quickly established a three point advantage over their nearest rivals. They’re pushing for a fourth straight title, and their next hurdle is a trip to Belenenses. This isn’t a ground where the Portuguese champions haven’t had too much trouble.

They’re looking to continue a 12 game unbeaten run against Belenenses here. If they claim a win, it’ll be their sixth consecutive league victory. It would also be a 16th away win in a row in the Primeira Liga. That’s an incredible streak, one which shows how dominant they are over the rest of the league. They’ve actually taken more points away from home than at home this season. Overall, they’ve slipped up in just one game. It’s hard to see them dropping any more points in this trip.

Benfica have a fantastic record against this weekend’s opponents. Not only did they thump them home and away last year, they’ve kept five straight clean sheets away to Belenenses. The league leaders have conceded just 0.5 goals per game so far, while the hosts have scored just 0.86 goals per match this term. That does make an away win to nil very appealing, it’s priced at 5/4 with bet365.

While that bet is worth keeping an eye on, we suggest looking towards the half-time/full-time market in this one for value. The champions tend to start games quite well, having scored the opener in 86% of their matches in the Liga NOS. They’ve won 86% of their matches so far, and they’ve won the first half of matches in 71% of their games.

They’ve been in strong early form in the last couple of games. Benfica have been winning at the end of both halves in six of their last eight matches. They’ve also done that in four of their last five meetings with Belenenses. The league’s top scorers should have no problem breaking through here and taking the lead, and from that point on who would back against a side who are 4/9 in the pre-match betting with bet365? The visitors to be ahead at the end of both halves, which is priced at 21/20 with bet365.