Gil Vicente will welcome Benfica to the Estádio Cidade de Barcelos in the Primeira Liga on Friday. The hosts have won five of their 25 league games and are in 14th place in the standings. The capital club are in second place with 59 points, three fewer than local rivals Sporting.
Galos have seen a drop in form and are winless in their last eight games in all competitions. They suffered their seventh defeat in that period before the international break, falling to a 1-0 home loss to Santa Clara. They failed to score for the fifth time in six games and will look to improve upon that record.
The visitors extended their winning streak in the Primeira Liga to six games in their previous outing, recording a 3-2 away win over Rio Ave. Orkun Kökçü scored in the first half, while Vangelis Pavlidis and Kerem Aktürkoğlu added goals after the break.
Galos have endured a poor run of form and have lost seven of their last eight games in all competitions. They have scored just two goals in that period while conceding 11 goals. They have lost their last four home games in all competitions, failing to score in the last three, which is a cause for concern.
Yaya Sithole is a long-term absentee, while Jesús Castillo won't return in time from international duty and will miss this match.
As Águias have won their last six league games and have scored three goals in five games in that period. They are on a six-game winning streak in away meetings against Vicente, keeping five clean sheets, and are strong favorites.
Tiago Gouveia, Alexander Bah, and Manu Silva remain sidelined with injuries. Angel Di María and Tomás Araújo face late fitness tests, while Nicolás Otamendi and Andreas Schjelderup returned late from international duty and their availability is in doubt.
The visitors have been the dominant side in these meetings, and considering Gil Vicente's recent struggles, we back the capital club to record a comfortable win.
Prediction: Gil Vicente 0-3 Benfica
Tip 1: Result - Benfica to win
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: Both teams to score - No
Tip 4: At least a goal to be scored in the second half - Yes