January 17, 2025. 10:15 pm. Lisbonne. Luz Stadium
Primeira Liga. Day 18
Benfica (Lisbonne) x Famalicão (Vila Nova de Famalicão)
Possible absences: Renato Sanches, Thiago Gouveia, Gianluca Prestiani – Ivan Zlobin
Day 18 of the Primeira Liga begins this Friday, with Benfica hosting Famalicão. This clash is particularly interesting since both teams are struggling to achieve promising results in recent weeks, which should encourage Benfica to end their poor streak.
Benfica
Benfica have already played four matches in January, with no rest time as they still have four matches scheduled this month. A busy February also awaits them, if they manage to stand out in the Champions League. Fortunately for the Eagles, they won the League Cup and advanced further into the Taça de Portugal, which took some pressure off the team compared to earlier in the month. However, it is important to note that Benfica are currently in third position in the table after losing their last two matches, leaving no margin for error in the Primeira Liga. Although the club’s presidential elections are tentatively scheduled for the autumn, the race has already gained momentum, with main contender Rui Costa indicating that Bruno Lage’s position is in danger if Benfica fails to clinch the title this season. Major personnel changes are also anticipated. Although these discussions remain speculative, for any Benfica manager, finishing outside the top places is always a source of shame and criticism from supporters.
In reality, the team was not inspiring in its performance. Even in their match against Farense in Taça de Portugal, fans remained anxious as Benfica conceded the first goal. Bruno Lage later revealed that he had to address the team in a raised voice at half-time, which proved effective as the Eagles won the match 3-1. Still, questions remain about the overall quality of the team.
Famalicão
Famalicão have failed to satisfy their supporters with victories in the Primeira Liga for a long time, their last victory dating back to November last year! At that time, they had managed to beat ABC 3-2 away. Since then, they have played seven matches in the Primeira Liga, recording four draws and three defeats. The team has slipped to ninth place in the standings and is not far from the relegation zone. Additionally, Famalicão was eliminated from the Taça de Portugal after losing 1–0 at home to Santa Clara in the round of 16. Faced with such discouraging results, the club was quick to part ways with its technical staff. On 10 December, Hugo Oliveira was appointed coach, but under his leadership Famalicão has yet to taste victory, recording two draws and two defeats instead.
Oliveira is a well-known figure in Portuguese football, having long worked as assistant to Marco Silva at English clubs such as Hull, Watford, Everton and Fulham. He had not planned a solo career, but Famalicão’s management persuaded him, promising the 45-year-old coach freedom to act and time to build a team. His tenure so far has not produced the expected results, which was expected, as no one expected immediate victories from Oliveira in his first matches.
Predicted Alignments: Benfica x Famalicão
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Author’s Prediction: Benfica vs Famalicão
In their last five matches in all competitions, Benfica have only managed to keep a clean sheet once. Bruno Lage admits that the team has defensive problems but has not yet found a solution. While Famalicão may struggle, they have managed to score consistently (in six consecutive matches), including under the leadership of Oliveira. Therefore, I suggest betting that both teams will score.
