The action in Portugal returned with a bang last week, and the football will continue to take centre stage this coming week. But, which sides will be able to get the wins that they need to achieve their targets for the season? The top two will both be in action, but will either of them be able to take control in the title race?
Portimonense vs Benfica
The action on Wednesday night will get underway with an intriguing match-up between Benfica and Portimonense. Benfica are currently at the top of the Primeira Liga, but their form has been indifferent over their previous six games. Over that run, they have drawn three times and lost and won once. Since the restart, they have drawn their only game. It was a disappointing 0-0 draw against Tondela last time out. Benfica created very little in that fixture and didn’t do nearly enough to get the three points. Benfica and FC Porto are level on 60 points at the top of the standings, which means whichever side can put a run of wins together will likely take control in the title race.
Portimonense will be a welcome opponent for Benfica, as they are in the relegation places. They are six points from safety, which means time is slowly running out on them getting out of the predicament that they are in. They have only won three games this season, and have lost 12 times. However, they will certainly come into this fixture in good confidence as they won last time out against Gil Vicente. The only goal of the game was scored by Lucas Fernandes.
These two sides have met on nine occasions in the past, with Benfica having won six of these. Gamblers will be hard-pressed to bet against Benfica to get the win from this fixture.
Tip: Benfica to win at 0.42 with BetXChange.
FC Porto vs Maritimo
FC Porto take to the field later in the evening, which means that they could be going into this home clash with an incentive to go top should Benfica not get all three points. Porto are currently level on points with Benfica at the top of the standings but haven’t won in their last two games. They haven’t scored as many as their title rivals, while they have conceded a higher number of goals.
They missed their opportunity last time out to go to the top of the league, as they were shockingly beaten by Famalicao. Porto were the heavy favourites to get the win in that fixture, but they were beaten 2-1. Jesus Corona levelled the scored with 15 minutes remaining, but they were back behind within four minutes. They will need to bounce back against Maritimo.
Maritimo are locked in a battle to stay in the division this season as they are six-points clear from Portimonense at present. They have been in terrible form over their past five games, as they have won just once. During that run, they have lost three times but did return to action with a draw in their last game. They earned a 1-1 draw against Vitoria FC, with Jorge Correa scoring for Maritimo. However, bettors will not fancy their chances of getting anything against Porto this week.
