Famalicao vs Benfica Predictions

• Famalicao have covered a +2 handicap in their last nine home league matches
• Famalicao have avoided defeat by more than one goal in three of their last five home games against Benfica
• Benfica have only won one of their last five Primeira Liga away games by more than one goal and failed to win three of those matches

No frills win for Benfica at Famalicao

Benfica look set for a belt and braces win at mid-table Famalicao on Sunday as their defence of the Portuguese title fizzles out. The Eagles are five points behind leaders Sporting Club, who play on Saturday, with three games to go so there is every chance that their flag will be lowered soon.

Roger Schmidt’s side deserve credit for digging out a win at home to Sporting Braga last weekend after going 1-0 down to the Arsenalistas. But their away form has been a little patchy of late and it is by no means certain that they win at Estádio Municipal 22 de Junho.

Famalicao were rejuvenated by the appointment of Armando Evangelista last month as the former Arouca boss guided them to back-to-back wins over Gil Vicente and Vizela before his new charges fought out a 2-2 draw at Porto.

Duo’s return could give Fama a boost

Their results have since taken a downturn with narrow defeats to Sporting and Estoril either side of another 2-2 draw with Portimonense, but the performances have not been that bad.

The Estoril defeat ended their fading European hopes but the return of exciting midfielder Gustavo Sa and centre-back Justin de Haas from suspension should give them a lift for this visit from the Lisbon giants.

If Benfica, whose only absentees will be central defender Tomas Araujo and left-back Alexander Bah, start as slowly as they did against Braga there could be something in this for Fama, although the safer play is to back the hosts to cover a +2 handicap at odds not much less than evens.