Sunday's Primeira Liga predictions including AVS vs. Benfica

Arouca vs. Santa Clara (Sunday, 3.30pm)

Arouca will be looking to surge from the bottom of the Portuguese Primeira Liga standings when they play host to Santa Clara at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca on Sunday.

Having lost the last three meetings between the two teams, Os Acoreanos will head into the weekend looking to get one over the home side and strengthen their position in the upper echelons of the table.

We say: Arouca 0-2 Santa Clara

Santa Clara have returned to the top flight with fire in their bellies and find themselves strongly competing in the upper echelons of the standings. Matos's men take on a floundering Arouca side who have won just two of their 13 matches so far and we predict they will come away with all three points at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca.

AVS vs. Benfica (Sunday, 6.00pm)

Two teams with contrasting fortunes this season are set to clash on Sunday when AVS host giants Benfica at Estadio Clube Desportivo das Aves in Portugal's Primeira Liga.

The home side are at risk of relegation this season and are on a lengthy winless streak, while the visitors are in the hunt to reclaim their Primeira Liga crown from Sporting Lisbon.

We say: AVS 0-3 Benfica

AVS and Benfica come into Sunday's match having had contrasting seasons so far, and the visitors are in drastically superior form.

Campelos's side will try to avoid another heavy defeat but it is hard to see anything other than a comprehensive victory for Lage's title chasers.

Estoril vs. Casa Pia (Sunday, 8.30pm)

Seeking to pick up back-to-back Primeira Liga victories for the first time since March, Estoril Praia play host to Casa Pia at the Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on Sunday.

Born sides, who are level on points in the bottom half of the league standings, will head into the weekend looking to get the better of each other and return to winning ways.

We say: Estoril Praia 2-1 Casa Pia

While Casa Pia will be looking to return to winning ways, results against Estoril offer little optimism as they have failed to win any of their previous eight encounters. The Canarinhos have been rock-solid at home in recent weeks and we fancy them to secure all three points here.

Written by

Ben Knapton