Our prediction for this Portugal Primeira Liga match:
Following a 3-0 win over Casa Pia, Benfica will look to keep on climbing the standings when they take on Estrela in the Primeira Liga round 3. The Eagles quickly bounced back from a shocking 2-0 loss to Famalicao, but they need to keep on making progress if they are to put an end to Sporting CP’s dominance in the national championship. German defender Jan-Niklas Beste is a major doubt after limping off with injury at the weekend, while both Angel Di Maria and goalkeeper Anatolii Trubin remain in the recovery room.
The visitors, on the other hand, experienced all sorts of problems at the back in a 3-0 loss to Famalicao and given their dreadful losing run at Estadio da Luz, we predict that the title-chasing hosts are going to pick up all three points from Saturday’s encounter. It has to be noted, though, that Estrela boss Filipe Martins has a luxury to field the best possible side against the capital club.
Highlighted Team (Benfica):
Member of the ‘Big Three’ clubs in Portugal alongside FC Porto and CP Sporting, Sport Lisboa e Benfica are the football club that has never been relegated from the Primeira Liga. The club is nicknamed Aguias because of the Eagle symbol atop the club’s crest. Benfica play their home games at the Estadio da Luz which replaced the original one in 2003 and which boasts the capacity of more than 64,000. Arguably the most successful club in Portugal, Benfica have won a record of 35 Primeira Liga titles and also a record 25 Taca de Liga and 7 Taca da Liga trophies.
Two-time European Cup winners, Benfica are the club known for their diligent work with youth players, many of which went on to make great careers abroad. The most prominent players to wear a Benfica shirt are legendary Eusebio, Manuel Bento, Jorge Tavares and most recently Javier Saviola, Nuno Gomes, David Luiz and Angel Di Maria.