Saturday's Primeira Liga predictions including Benfica vs. Braga

Moreirense vs. AVS (Saturday, 3.30pm)

Having endured a rough end to 2024, Moreirense and AVS will both be hopeful of improved fortunes in the new year as they kick off 2025 with a meeting at Parque de Jogos Comendador Joaquim de Almeida Freitas on Saturday.

This weekend's Primeira Liga clash will be the maiden meeting between the sides, and both of them will be hopeful of landing the first blow in the history of this fixture to help kickstart their respective campaigns.

We say: Moreirense 2-1 AVS

Given their solid record on home turf, Moreirense are the favourites to come out on top, and the onus will be on them to take the fight to AVS.

We are backing the hosts to just about do enough to come away with maximum points at the end of the 90 minutes.

Benfica vs. Braga (Saturday, 6.00pm)

Benfica and Braga are in action for the first time in the new year when they go head to head at the Estadio da Luz in round 17 of the Primeira Liga on Saturday.

Having suffered defeats in their respective last outings of 2024, both sides will head into the weekend looking to bounce back, with As Aguias eyeing a fifth consecutive victory over the visitors since April 2023.

We say: Benfica 2-1 Braga

Looking at recent meetings between Benfica and Braga, we anticipate an action-packed contest at the Estadio da Luz as both sides look to begin the new year on a winning note. As Aguias have been perfect on home turf this season, and while we expect Braga to put up a fight, we are backing Lage's men to come away with all three points.

Boavista vs. Arouca (Saturday, 8.30pm)

Boavista and Arouca open the new year with a bottom-of-the-table clash when they go head to head in round 17 of the Primeira Liga at the Estadio do Bessa on Saturday.

Both sides head into the weekend knowing victory here could serve as a springboard for a strong run of form to start the second half of the season as they look to surge from the doldrums.

We say: Boavista 1-1 Arouca

While Boavista and Arouca have struggled to get going so far, victory here could kickstart an upturn in form as they aim for a strong second half of the campaign. However, both sides are evenly matched on paper and we predict they will cancel out each other's efforts at the Estadio do Bessa.

Written by

Oliver Thomas