Benfica hosts Rio Ave in round 21 of Portuguese Primeira Liga. The match will be played on Monday, March 1st at Estádio da Luz (Lisbon)
In the current season, eminent Benfica does not confirm its stately image known even outside the country. Still, it’s too still too early to pigeonhole the capital Eagles, who continue to fully fight for 2-3 places in the standings that allow participating in the prestigious UEFA Champions League. In the upcoming match, over-motivated hosts are given a good opportunity to replenish their piggy bank with valuable three points, as a very unpretentious middle peasant will come to Estadio da Luz. And the Reds have not yet had any particular problems with such teams in home matches of the current season. In particular, Benfica has recently beaten Famalicao (2:0), Moreirense (2:0), Farense (3:2), Belenenses (2:0), Pacos de Ferreira (2:1), Portimonense (2:1), and Tondela (2:0). And as you can see, Benfica never stops on one scored goal in such meetings!
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Rio Ave is now firmly stuck in the equator of the tournament standings and has no bright prospects to compete for European Cups. At the same time, there can be no talk about any stability in today's camp of the team. For example, in the last round, it limply lost at home to one of the main outsiders, Famalicao (0:1). And a little earlier, the Green-Whites lost to Porto (0:2), Santa Clara (1:2), Pacos de Ferreira (0:2), Maritimo (1:3), Gil Vicente (0:2), Sporting Braga (0:3), etc. That is, Rio Ave usually concedes more than one goal and loses.
In my opinion, a much more powerful and competent Benfica will cope with its usual rival in the upcoming meeting, as the hosts have no other choice here. And the gigantic difference in class between the Lisbon grandee and the modest Rio Ave was fully expressed in their head-to-head match of the first round, when the Eagles heavily pecked the Green-Whites with a score of 3:0. I think the favorite will win again, and the fans will see at least two goals scored.
Prediction for the match: Benfica to win and Over 1.5 goals scored
