Santa Clara vs Benfica Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | Liga Portugal, February 15, 2025

Santa Clara vs Benfica Preview

• Competition: Liga Portugal.
• Date: Saturday, February 15.
• Time: 6:00 PM GMT.
• Venue: Estadio de Sao Miguel.

Santa Clara vs Benfica will take place at the Estadio de Sao Miguel in matchday 22 of Liga Portugal in the late kick-off slot on February 15.

The hosts are fifth in the table with 38 points from 21 matches. They have been in great form this season and are only outside the European spots by five points. Santa Clara have lost just once in their last five matches across competitions, winning two games and drawing two games. In this run, they have scored seven goals but also conceded six goals. They secured a narrow 2-1 win away from home against AVS in their last match and will look to repeat the same.

Benfica, on the other hand, are second in the table with 47 points from 21 matches. They trail leaders Sporting CP by four points and will look to keep winning games. They have won four of their last five matches across competitions, falling to one defeat as well. However, Benfica have showed their mettle, scoring 10 goals and conceding seven, keeping two clean sheets as well. Their 1-0 win at AS Monaco last time out will surely boost their confidence.

On that note, let’s take a look at the team news coming out of both camps.

Santa Clara Team News

Manager Vasco Matos fielded a strong lineup in his team’s last match as they secured a vital 2-1 win away from home. Most players performed well and the manager also used five substitutes, but there were no injuries or suspensions to report.

However, they will be without one player for the rest of the season. Pedro Pacheco picked up a cruciate ligament injury and is expected back directly for next season.

Benfica Team News

Manager Bruno Lage fielded a strong lineup in his team’s last match as they secured a narrow 1-0 win. Every player played well and the manager used five subs as well, but there were two injuries. Tomas Araujo and Angel Di Maria picked up injuries, with both set to be sidelined for a while.

Joining the pair are four other players. Alexander Bah (cruciate ligament), Manu Silva (cruciate ligament), Renato Sanches (thigh) and Tiago Gouveia (shoulder) will all miss out as they continue to recover.

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Santa Clara vs Benfica Predicted Lineups

Santa Clara Predicted Lineup (3-4-3)

Goalkeeper: Gabriel Batista (C).

Defenders: Sidney Lima, Luis Rocha, Matheus Araujo.

Midfielders: Lucas Soares, Adriano Firmino, Serginho, Diogo Calila.

Forwards: Ricardinho, Joao Costa, Gabriel Silva.

Benfica Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)

Goalkeeper: Anatoliy Trubin.

Defenders: Samuel Soares, Antonio Silva, Nicolas Otamendi (C), Alvaro Carreras.

Midfielders: Fredrik Aursnes, Florentino Luis, Orkun Kokcu.

Forwards: Kerem Akturkoglu, Vangelis Pavlidis, Andreas Schjelderup.

Head-to-Head Record

These two sides have met very often in the last few seasons and their matches have come in various competitions. However, the results have all been unidirectional, with Benfica defeating Santa Clara on each of the last five occasions.

Date	Match	Competition
31/10/24	Benfica 3-0 Santa Clara	Taca da Liga
15/09/24	Benfica 4-1 Santa Clara	Liga Portugal
27/05/23	Benfica 3-0 Santa Clara	Liga Portugal
21/01/23	Santa Clara 0-3 Benfica	Liga Portugal
12/02/22	Benfica 2-1 Santa Clara	Liga Portugal

Key Players to Watch in Santa Clara vs Benfica

Gabriel Silva (Santa Clara)

Silva has been in good form for Santa Clara this season and has added five goals and two assists to their tally. His goals have come from 6.12 xG, which is unimpressive and Silva can improve his conversion rate. His assists have also come at an underwhelming 3.07 xA. He will look to get back on track soon.

Vangelis Pavlidis (Benfica)

The Greek forward has been on fire for Benfica this season and has scored seven goals and provided four assists as well. His goals have come at 7.66 xG, meaning he can do better in that metric. Meanwhile, his assists have come from just 2.20 xA, which can continue to improve.

Santa Clara vs Benfica Prediction

Going by recent head-to-head as well as their respective form guides, it is a no-brainer that Benfica are overwhelming favourites to win the next match.

Prediction: Santa Clara 1-3 Benfica

Where to watch Santa Clara vs Benfica live?

Location	Where to Watch
UK	TrillerTV+
US	GolTV
India	N/A
Portugal	DAZN

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