Betfair Live Video: Expect a Benfica stroll as they continue to set the pace

Lima has continued to impress this season

Lewis Watson previews two Portuguese Primeira Liga matches being streamed live this Saturday on Betfair Live Video...

Benfica vs Boavista
Saturday 17:00

After seeing Porto drop three points on their trip to Maritimo last Sunday, Benfica went into Monday's match at Pacos with a chance to stretch their lead at the Primeira summit to nine points. However, due to a 90th minute Oliveira penalty, the hosts suffered only their second defeat of the season leaving the chasing pack licking their lips at the prospect of a weaknesses in the armoury of the leagues top two.

Boavista are this weekends challengers, and after a seemingly 'black and white' season, their total lack of consistency has left them floating at the top of the bottom third of the table for some weeks.  With six wins and eleven defeats, Teixeira's side have struggled for form since their re-induction back into the league after a six year absence, but now with their legal disputes behind them 'As Panteras' will be craving a return to the glory years.

Despite last weekends stumble, Benfica are in fantastic league form dropping only eight points all season, and without an over reliance on one player Jorge Jesus' side has an impressive balance to it not seen in previous seasons. 

Saying this, once again Lima has proved a real catalyst for the side's good form turning in performance after performance in his role supporting the ever-changing strike force. With six goals this campaign, the Brazilian has once again confirmed his place as one of the first names on Jorge Jesus' team-sheet with his side going for back-to-back titles for the first time in 24 years.

Expect the hosts to spring back to life after Monday's disappointment with a competent performance against an out of depth Boavista. With just one victory away from the Estadio do Bessa this campaign the visitors to the Estadio da Luz with very little ambition, with a goalless draw the best possible outcome. 

Back a Saturday stroll for the reigning Champions, with a victory by three or four looking likely.

Recommended Bets:
Back Benfica to win 3-0 @ 7.06/1
Back over 2.5 goals @ 1.68/13

Penafiel vs Vitoria Guimaraes
Saturday 20:15

With their sights firmly set on sneaking into the top three spots, Vitoria Guimaraes come to Penafiel looking to inflict yet more pain on the host's defence adding to their 35 goals already conceded this campaign. Sitting second from bottom with only twelve points to their name, Rui Quinta's newly-promoted side have struggled to adapt to life with the big-boys, with Vitoria proving their worth as one of the biggest...

Within reach of Sporting and Porto at the top of this year's Primeira, Vitoria will arrive at the Estadio Municipal 25 de Abril hoping to once again close the gap on the usual suspects at the top.  After winning five matches back-to-back in October and November, Vitoria have hit a bumpy patch of form in recent weeks that has left them hovering in an unchallenged fourth spot. 

Despite winning ten of their eighteen league games thus far, Rui Vitoria's side have become a victim of their own success with disappointment being aired after dropping two points in their last home fixture to Gil Vicente, and now with a favourable run of fixtures, 'Os Vimaranenses' will be expecting the pressure to be applied once again on those above them...

In terms of stand out performances, 25-year-old Andre Andre can't be overlooked with his contributions so far this season. With nine goals to his name, the midfielder has played in all but one game this season, and although six have come from the penalty spot, the Portuguese play-maker has proved a real driving force behind Vitoria's success so far this year.

Penafiel are win-less since mid-December, and with their defence fortunes not looking to change any time soon expect the visitors to find the net on Saturday evening. If the host's can sneak the first goal they may well be in with a chance of stealing a point, however a professional outing from Vitoria should be enough to see them leave with all three points.

Recommended Bets:
Back Vitoria to win @ 1.855/6
Back under 2.5 goals @ 1.695/7