Benfica to kick-off league campaign with a win over Guimaraes

On Friday night, Benfica and Vitoria Guimaraes go head-to-head in the opening game of the Portuguese Primeira Liga.

Benfica finished as runners-up last season to perennial nemesis Porto, so will be looking to go one step further this season in the Primeira Liga.

An unconvincing run in the league towards the end of last season cost the home side the title, as they recorded just two wins in their last five league outings. A home defeat against title rivals Porto proved particularly costly.

The Eagles end of season games were relatively low scoring in the Portuguese top-flight, as six of their last nine games produced under 2.5 goals.

Benfica have suffered just two Liga defeats in 40 outings at the Estadio Da Luz. However, both of those losses were in the last three games of the season.

A key to that good recent home form has been a solid defence, as the home side has kept clean sheets in five of their last seven outings at the Estadio Da Luz in the Portuguese top-flight.

Vitoria Guimaraes finished ninth place last season in the Portuguese top-flight. Like the hosts, the visitors ended the campaign with an unconvincing run of form, also winning two of their last five games in the Primeira Liga. Like Benfica, their poor late run was costly, as the visitors finished just six points outside the European spots.

Guimaraes’ recent away record in the Portuguese top-flight is woeful, as the visitors have lost nine of their last ten games on their travels. However, the exception came in their final away game of the season when they won 4-1 at Tondela to end a nine-game losing run on their travels.

The fact that the visitors have failed to keep a clean sheet in 11 league games on their travels was a big cause of those poor away results.

Forebet predicts that Benfica will open their league campaign with a comfortable win a high scoring clash.