Benfica vs Santa Clara Prediction and Betting Tips

Benfica welcome Santa Clara to Estadio da Luz in the Portuguese League Cup quarter-final on Wednesday. The hosts are coming off a 5-0 thrashing of Rio Ave at the same venue in the Primeira Liga.

Kerem Akturkoglu scored a first-half hat-trick to put the Eagles on their way to victory. Andreas Schjelderup and Zeki Amdouni scored second-half goals to complete the rout.

Santa Clara, meanwhile, claimed maximum points with a 2-1 home win over Gil Vicente, also in league action. All three goals came in the first half, with Sidney de Lima and Diego Calila scoring either side of Santiago Garcia to guide their side to victory.

Os Açorianos now turn their attention to the league cup, where they booked their spot in the competition as winners of the Liga Portugal 2 last season, while Benfica are here as the Primeira Liga runners-up.

Benfica vs Santa Clara Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

Benfica have 15 wins from their last 18 head-to-head games with Santa Clara, losing once.
Their most recent meeting in September saw Benfica claim a 4-1 comeback home win.
Six of Santa Clara's last seven games, including the last five, have been decided by one-goal margins.
Seven of Benfica's last eight games have produced at least three goals.
Santa Clara have won four of their last five games across competitions, losing one.
Nine of their last 10 head-to-head games, including the last six, have produced over 2.5 goals

Benfica vs Santa Clara Prediction

Benfica have won four of their last five games and have lost one of their last 11, winning nine. The Eagles are seeking their eighth triumph in the competition, with their seventh coming in 2016.

Santa Clara, meanwhile, have made an impressive start to life on their return to the top flight. They have punched above their weight and sit fourth, above Braga and Vitoria Guimaraes, and are also through to the Portuguese Cup Round of 16.

This season is the first edition of the abridged version of the Portuguese League Cup. Expect Benfica to advance to the last-four with a comfortable victory.

Prediction: Benfica 3-0 Santa Clara

Benfica vs Santa Clara Betting Tips

Tip 1 - Benfica to win

Tip 2 - Both teams to score: No

Tip 3 - Over 2.5 goals

Tip 4 - Half-time/Fullt-ime result: Benfica/Benfica

About the author

Elvis is a seasoned football journalist and has been with Sportskeeda for more than 6 years. He specializes in writing match previews across several leagues and competitions around the world, and his insightful tips have amassed a total readership in excess of 9.2 million till date. Elvis' meticulous attention to detail and strictly following SK's editorial guidelines have been key to achieving a vast readership. He has also exclusively covered the 2021 Nigerian Universiy Games and has provided research for an upcoming biography for a Nigerian football legend.

Elvis has been a Super Eagles fan since 2004, and them beating defending champions Cameroon in the AFCON that year left a lasting impact on him. He supports Sporting Lagos at club level and loves to watch games live at the Onikan Stadium due to its buzzing atmosphere. His favorite football players are former Nigerian forward, Osaze Odemwingie and former Real Madrid legend Raul Gonzalez.

If Elvis could change one football rule, it would be to not be booked for celebrating with pitch side fans. He believes that football is a passionate game and celebrations should be encouraged to the fullest. When not analyzing the latest previews, Elvis indulges in activities such as swimming, reading, and karaoke.

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