Portimonese vs Belenenses Predictions

Portimoneses finished last season three places and four points behind a Belenenses side that claimed a top-half finish, and at one stage looked like they might challenge for the Europa League spots. Both teams had disappointing ends to the previous campaign and will be hoping that the players drafted in over the summer prove enough to take them onto the next level.

The stats heading into Friday’s clash suggest that we will see both teams score when these two sides clash and that the most likely result is a draw. Three of the last four encounters between these two clubs have ended in stalemates, with the last two meetings at Estádio Municipal de Portimão finishing 0-0 and 1-1, with the last clash at Belenenses ending 2-2. That goalless draw is the only match in the last six games between these two clubs that failed to see both teams score, which is why we’re fully expecting goals at both ends of the pitch on Friday.

Both teams scored in three of Portimonenses’ last six matches, which includes a 1-1 draw with Maritimo and defeats against Betis and Lille, all of which were pre-season friendlies. Belenenses have only failed to score in two of their last six matches in all competitions, away at Alverca in a pre-season friendly and last weekend at home to Santa Clara in the Taca da Liga. With both teams in good scoring form and each keeping just two clean sheets in their last six attempts, it is clear to see just why we’re backing both teams to score in Friday’s Primeira Liga clash.

We’re confident that both teams will score on Friday and have predicted a final scoreline of 1-1. Belenenses have lost one of their last six matches against Friday’s hosts and these two sides have a history of producing draws over the last couple of seasons. There wasn’t much between the two clubs at the end of last season, just four points, and the hosts’ minimum aim this time around will be to finish above Belenenses and claim a top-half finish. The opening game of the new season often turns out to be underwhelming as both sides attempt to figure each other out, and we can see these two clubs cancelling each other out on Friday, with the game ending all square.