The eighth round of the Portuguese Primeira will feature an exciting match between Porto and Benfica on Sunday, October 5, starting at 22:15 Central European Time. A bet on goals in this game seems promising.
Match Preview
Porto is having a strong start to the 2025/26 season under Francesco Farioli. The team aims to reclaim the league title after four years, showing exceptional performances.
Porto has won all seven Primeira games so far, with away victories against Rio Ave (3-0) and Arouca (4-0), plus a win against Sporting. They’ve allowed just one goal, demonstrating solid defense, and player Samu Agehova has been impressive on offense.
In the Europa League, Porto started with a win, defeating RB Salzburg 1-0. Their attacking prowess was evident in a match against Crvena Zvezda, where they created numerous chances and achieved victory.
The team excels in aggressive pressing and quick transitions from defense to offense. However, they’ll face a significant challenge against Benfica, who are also striving for the top of the league.
Benfica’s start this season has been inconsistent. They reached the Champions League group stage but faced an unexpected home defeat against Qarabag in their opening match.
This loss led to the dismissal of Bruno Lage, with José Mourinho taking over. Mourinho’s start has been rocky, featuring a draw with Rio Ave and a loss to Chelsea in the Champions League—results that fall short of expectations for a coach of his stature.
Vangelis Pavlidis, with seven goals, leads Benfica’s attack, which has been bolstered by Sudakov, a significant summer signing from Shakhtar. However, they still struggle defensively against tougher opponents. While their attack shows improvement, the defense needs work. The match against Porto will be vital for Mourinho as he seeks to elevate Benfica’s status in Portuguese football.
Match Facts
- Porto has won all nine matches this season.
- Porto has kept three consecutive clean sheets in the Primeira.
- Benfica has won only two of their last six games.
- Benfica has not lost an away domestic match since January.
- Porto averages 2.1 goals per home game; Benfica averages 1.6 goals per away game.
Probable Line-ups
- Porto: Costa, Moura, Kiwior, Bednarek, Rosario, Varela, Veiga, Froholdt, Sainz, Pepe, Samu.
- Benfica: Trubin, Otamendi, Silva, Dedic, Dahl, Rios, Barrenechea, Aursnes, Lukebakio, Sudakov, Pavlidis.
Head-to-Head
- The last three matches between these teams have seen five goals each time.
- There have been no draws in the last ten encounters.
Prediction
With both teams known for their attacking style, this match could be high-scoring. Porto aims to keep their winning streak alive, while Benfica seeks to regain their confidence. A win for Benfica would narrow the gap at the top of the table. Given these factors, betting on both teams to score seems likely.