In this preview, Liga Portugal matchday 22 brings a classic “top vs bottom” encounter to the Azores as Santa Clara welcomes the title-chasing Benfica to the Estádio de São Miguel. The hosts are currently in the midst of a nightmare run, sitting in 16th place and sliding deeper into the relegation zone after four defeats in their last five league outings. Their struggles in front of goal have become a major concern, having failed to score in three of those five matches.
For those looking for an edge in their weekend wagers, the match preview highlights two teams on completely different paths. Benfica, under the management of Jose Mourinho, is currently five points off the top and desperate for a victory to keep their title hopes alive. The “Eagles” have been dominant on the road, while Santa Clara has the worst offensive home record in the league. If you are looking to place your bets on this clash, we recommend visiting Betano for a top-tier betting experience.
Santa Clara vs Benfica match preview
Santa Clara’s season is at a critical juncture. The appointment of Petit as head coach was meant to spark a revival, but the results have yet to follow. Their recent 1-0 loss to Estrela Amadora was a bitter pill to swallow, further exposing a lack of confidence in the final third. At the Estádio de São Miguel, they have averaged less than a goal per game, a statistic that does not bode well when facing the league’s most disciplined defense.
Benfica, meanwhile, arrives in the Azores following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Alverca. Despite an injury crisis that has sidelined several key players, Mourinho has kept the side focused on the league title. With Vangelis Pavlidis leading the line with 19 goals this season, they possess enough firepower to overwhelm the struggling hosts. You can explore a variety of player prop markets for this specific matchup at Betano, where Pavlidis remains a heavy favorite to find the net.
Team Recent Form
- Santa Clara: LLLLD
- Benfica: WDWWL
Key Stats
- Defensive Prowess: Benfica has conceded only 12 goals in 21 league matches, the lowest in Liga Portugal this season.
- Scoring Drought: Santa Clara has failed to score in 10 out of 21 league matches this campaign.
- Road Warriors: Benfica is undefeated in away matches in the league since August 2025.
Correct Score Prediction: Santa Clara 0-3 Benfica
My exact correct score prediction is a 0-3 win for Benfica. Santa Clara is currently struggling to generate meaningful chances, and against a Mourinho-coached side that excels in defensive transition, they will find it nearly impossible to breach Trubin’s goal. Benfica has scored at least three goals in four of their last ten league games, and with the title race heating up, expect them to be clinical. Pavlidis and Schjelderup are likely to exploit the spaces left by a Santa Clara side that must eventually push forward to find a result.
Santa Clara vs Benfica H2H
- Reverse Fixture: The two sides played out a surprising 1-1 draw in September 2025.
- Unbeaten Run: Benfica is unbeaten in their last 10 competitive meetings against Santa Clara.
- Goals Average: Meetings between these two have averaged 3.3 goals per game over the last three seasons.
- Clean Sheet History: Benfica has kept a clean sheet in 4 of their last 6 visits to the Azores.
Pre-game Odds
- Home (Santa Clara) Win: 7.00
- Draw: 4.20
- Away (Benfica) Win: 1.50
Team News Santa Clara
Petit will be without the services of Brazilian defender Matheus Araujo, who is out with a muscle injury. There are also late fitness tests for Luis Fernando and MT. However, the home side is otherwise at full strength as they look to pull off a monumental upset.
Team News Benfica
Benfica is currently navigating a major injury crisis. Alexander Bah, Dodi Lukebakio, Richard Rios, and Samuel Soares are all confirmed absentees. To make matters worse, defender Sidny Cabral is suspended due to yellow card accumulation. Despite these losses, the depth of the squad remains impressive with Nicolas Otamendi and Tomas Araujo leading the backline.
Predicted Lineups
Santa Clara (4-3-3): Batista; Soares, Venancio, Lima, Victor; Klismahn, Ferreira, Serginho; Lopes, Wendel, Silva.
Benfica (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Silva, Otamendi, Araujo, Dahl; Barreiro, Aursnes; Prestianni, Silva, Schjelderup; Pavlidis.
Santa Clara vs Benfica betting tips
For those looking to maximize their returns on this Liga Portugal clash, Betano offers a wide array of betting options:
- Tip 1 – Result: Benfica Win. The Rossoneri have superior quality and a title on the line.
- Tip 2 – Over/Under 2.5 goals: Over 2.5 goals. Benfica’s attack is clinical, and Santa Clara’s defense has been brittle of late.
- Tip 3 – Both Teams to Score: No. Santa Clara’s offensive struggles suggest a potential shutout for Trubin.
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