The iconic Estádio Municipal de Aveiro sets the stage for one of the most anticipated matchups in the Portuguese football calendar as Benfica and Porto go head-to-head in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira. With historical rivalries, recent form guides, and star-studded line-ups in play, predicting the outcome becomes a tantalising task.
Historical Background:
Benfica and Porto are undeniably the titans of Portuguese football, and their head-to-heads have often been the stuff of legend. With 55 meetings between them, Porto has dominated, boasting 28 wins to Benfica’s 12. The most common result? A 1-1 draw, which has occurred 10 times. But, Benfica’s last home victory against Porto came all the way back in 2018. Recent matches further tilt the scales in favour of Porto, having lost only one of their last five clashes against the Lisbon side.
Form Guide:
The 2022-23 season saw Benfica clinch the Liga Portugal title by a slender two-point margin over Porto. Benfica’s journey witnessed 28 victories, while Porto wasn’t far behind with 27. Benfica boasts an impressive home record, with 15 wins from 17 matches last season. However, the single loss was against none other than Porto.
Recent form guides paint a similar story. While Benfica’s form line reads: W, W, W, W, L, L, Porto has had a mixed bag with W, W, L, D, D. Both teams will be itching to get their hands on the Supertaça and start their new season with a bang.
Key Players:
Benfica: Angel Di Maria’s return to Benfica has already yielded dividends with goals in pre-season. With 19 league goals last term, Goncalo Ramos will be a significant miss for Benfica after his move to PSG. Orkun Kokcu, the new arrival from Feyenoord, is another player to watch in the midfield.
Porto: Mehdi Taremi’s future may be up in the air, but if he lines up against Benfica, he’s the one to watch. Last season’s tally of 29 goal contributions in 31 league starts showcases his talent. The Brazilian winger, Galeno, is another vital cog for Porto, having contributed to 11 goals in 20 league starts.
Possible Line-ups:
Benfica: Vlachodimos; Bah, Silva, Otamendi, Jurasek; Kokcu, Aursnes; Di Maria, Silva, Mario; Ramos
Porto: Costa; Pepe, Pepe, Marcano, Sanusi; Otavio, Eustaquio, Uribe, Galeno; Taremi, Evanilson
Predictions:
Given the recent forms, historical data, and the quality on display, this matchup promises goals. Benfica’s new signings may need time to gel, giving Porto a slight edge. However, considering Benfica’s championship-winning form last season and their strong home record, this is a game that could go either way.
Predicted Score: Benfica 2 – 2 Porto.
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