Santa Clara vs Benfica Predictions

• Santa Clara are unbeaten in the Primeira Liga this season (W5, D3)
• Benfica have won five of their last six league matches
• The Eagles are unbeaten in their last 10 league meetings with Santa Clara (W8, D2)

Santa Clara usually take it to the big three

Santa Clara usually have a good go when one of the Primeira Liga’s big boys come to the Estádio de São Miguel, but they rarely avoid defeat against Benfica. The Azoreans have been one of the surprise packages in Portugal this season and will put their unbeaten Primeira Liga record on the line when Marco Silva’s men visit on Monday.

Petit’s side sit fourth after taking 18 points from their opening eight matches and have built their success on a rock-solid defence, conceding just four league goals. They have also been formidable on home soil, avoiding defeat in their last six league games at the Estadio de Sao Miguel and keeping clean sheets in each of their last three.

However, this represents their toughest assignment of the campaign.

Eagles can edge a tight encounter

Benfica arrive in excellent form after winning five of their last six league matches and maintaining their perfect Europa League start with a convincing 4-1 victory over Omonia during the week.

Silva’s outfit have been the division’s most potent attacking side, scoring 24 goals in eight league games, while they have traditionally enjoyed this fixture. Benfica have won eight and drawn two of their last 10 league meetings with Santa Clara, including a 2-1 victory on their most recent visit to the Azores.

Santa Clara’s defensive organisation should keep this competitive, but Benfica possess greater quality in the final third and can grind out another important victory in the title race.