Benfica vs Arouca Predictions

Vulnerable Arouca to fall to Eagles

Over 3.5 goals has been a winning bet in four of Arouca’s eight Primeira Liga games this season, and that looks set to be the bet again when they head to Estadio da Luz to face Benfica on Saturday.

Jose Mourinho’s Benfica are third in the league, eight places and nine points above Arouca, with five wins and three draws from their eight games, while Arouca have two wins, three draws and three defeats.

Benfica have been winners in six of the last seven home meetings with Arouca in the Primeira Liga and are unbeaten in 24 of their last 25 league matches. Arouca, who have recorded only one victory in their last seven games, were 2-1 winners over Nacional in their last away game last month.

The visitors have been disappointing defensively this season, conceding 19 goals in the Primeira Liga – an average of 2.38 goals per game from eight matches. Arouca have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last ten league games.

Six of the last eight times that Benfica have hosted Arouca in the Primeira Liga have produced over 3.5 goals, with the last three meetings all going over the goal.

A 3-1 home win for Benfica is an appealing correct-score bet. No Primeira Liga team has played more games with four or more goals this season than Arouca, and Benfica have been two-goal winners in nine of the last 11 head-to-heads.

Mourinho’s men should find this much easier than Tuesday’s deserved Champions League loss at Newcastle.

Click here to learn more about Spotlight iQ

Edited by Mark Langdon