On Sunday night, two of the giants of Portuguese football, Porto and Benfica, meet at the Estadio Do Dragao in a big game at the top of the Primeira Liga.
Porto make it four games unbeaten in midweekThe home team made it four games unbeaten in all competitions in midweek with a 2-1 win at Santa Clara. It was their third win in that run of four games unbeaten.
The match ended a run of low-scoring games, with under 2.5 goals scored in their previous three matches.
Porto have won one of their last four games in the Portuguese top-flight, although they have suffered just one defeat in their previous nine Primeira Liga matches.
Sergio Conceicao’s team is in third place in the table, only three points clear of fourth-place Sporting Braga.
One of Porto’s biggest strengths of late has been their strong home form, as they are unbeaten in six Primeira Liga games on home soil, having recorded five wins and a draw.
Their unbeaten run ended at arch-rivals SportingBenfica saw a 22-game unbeaten run over 90 minutes ended last time out, as they went down to a 2-1 defeat against city rivals Sporting CP in the Taca de Portugal semi-final first leg.
However, Benfica are unbeaten in their last 22 games in the Primeira Liga, having won nine of their last ten matches in the Portuguese top-flight.
The Eagles have also scored at least two goals in their last nine consecutive matches in the Primeira Liga.
Benfica’s good form in the top flight has them top of the table. However, the Eagles are only two points ahead of their second-place arch-rivals Sporting, who have played a game fewer.
The visitors are unbeaten in their last ten away games in the Portuguese top-flight, having recorded eight wins and two draws.
What am I backing?This could be a relatively even contest between two of the best teams in the Primeira Liga. However, the bet I am backing is a narrow away win, as I believe the Eagles will have a touch more quality than their hosts.
