Portuguese Liga: betting preview & TV details for Benfica v Maritimo

TV: FreeSports 8.15pm Monday

A 2-0 defeat away to Eintracht Frankfurt saw Benfica exit the Europa League on away goals, but while their cursed 57-year wait for European silverware continues, they are neck and neck with Porto in the Portuguese title race.

Bruno Lage’s Eagles will attempt to bridge the three-point gap to the top when they host Maritimo at the Estadio da Luz. A victory will see them return to top spot thanks to a superior head-to-head record and bookmakers are heavily favouring that scenario, making Benfica long odds-on to win the game.

They have been brilliant at home in recent weeks, winning their last nine home league matches and averaging 4.4 goals per game, helped by a remarkable 10-0 win over relegation-threatened Nacional.

Benfica face a Maritimo team who have won three of their last five games but the Madeira-based club, managed by former Portuguese international Petit, picked up each of those wins in Funchal and were comfortably beaten 3-0 away at Porto on March 16.

Primeira Liga standings

Maritimo had a man sent off in the early stages on that occasion but, with the two title-chasers closely matched this season, a similar scoreline could be seen in Lisbon.

The visitors have scored just seven away goals this term, failing to net in their last three on the road. But Benfica to win to nil is just 8-13 and there could be better value in taking a punt on the correct score.

Recommendations
Benfica to win 3-0
1pt 61-11 RedZone
Benfica to win 4-0
1pt 31-4 RedZone

Bet on this game at Soccerbase.com

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