Saturday's Primeira Liga predictions including Benfica vs. Casa Pia

Portimonense vs. Estoril (Saturday, 3.30pm)

After a poor start to their Primeira Liga campaign, Estoril Praia are in the spotlight and hoping to turn things around against Portimonense at the Estadio Municipal de Portimao on Saturday.

Both teams go into this match on the back of successful performances in last week's Portuguese Cup competition, as Portimonense advanced to the next round after a 4-1 win over Covilha, while Estoril Praia recorded a commanding 5-0 victory over Sintrense.

We say: Portimonense 2-1 Estoril Praia

Neither team can boast impressive performances in the Primeira Liga this season, but Portimonense enter this match as favourites with home field advantage on their side.

The 5-0 away win in the Taca de Portugal may have given Estoril confidence, but their away record this season suggests it will be very difficult to pick up at least a point on Saturday.

Guimaraes vs. Chaves (Saturday, 6.00pm)

Still licking their wounds from the disappointing Taca de Portugal exit, Chaves journey to the Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques to face Vitoria de Guimaraes in round nine of the Primeira Liga on Saturday.

Os Vimaranenses have won each of their three outings across all competitions since the start of October and will head into the weekend looking to continue in the same vein.

We say: Vitoria de Guimaraes 2-1 Chaves

Vitoria de Guimaraes have put together a fine run of form in recent weeks and will fancy their chances against a Chaves side whose form on the road is currently nothing to write home about. While we expect the visitors to put up a fight, we are backing Pacheco's men to come away with all three points, albeit by the odd goal.

Benfica vs. Casa Pia (Saturday, 6.00pm)

Two sides who picked up contrasting results last time out square off in round nine of the Portuguese Primeira Liga as Benfica play host to Casa Pia at the Estadio da Luz on Saturday.

As Aguias head into the weekend fresh off the back of a disappointing Champions League loss to Real Sociedad while the visitors booked their spot in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal.

We say: Benfica 2-0 Casa Pia

While Benfica have been underwhelming in Europe, they are currently firing on all cylinders domestically and will be looking to move to the top of the table this weekend. Schmidt's side have enjoyed the better of this fixture, and given the gulf in quality and depth between the two sides, we are backing them to come away with a comfortable victory in front of their home supporters.

Gil Vicente vs. Braga (Saturday, 8.30pm)

The action continues in round nine of the Portuguese Primeira Liga when Gil Vicente and Braga go head to head at the Estadio Cidade de Barcelos on Saturday.

The Gilistas head into the weekend fresh off the back of reaching the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal while the visitors will be looking to bounce back from their Champions League defeat against Real Madrid.

We say: Gil Vicente 1-2 Braga

Fresh off the back of a narrow loss against Real Madrid, Braga will head into the weekend looking to find their feet and continue their surge to the top of the league table. Jorge's side boasts the firepower needed to get the job done and we are backing them to return to winning ways.