Bitesize Prediction: Lusitania vs Leixoes – 08/01/26

Competition: Portugal Liga 2

Market: Lusitania win

Odds: 12/11 @ Pribet

Looking to extend on their recent purple patch in midweek, Lusitania will welcome Leixoes to Santa Maria da Feira on Thursday night.

Starting with the hosts, while Lusitania might have only made their second-tier return this season, Renato Coimbra’s men have enjoyed a stellar run of form. Last seen signing off 2025 with a gritty 1-0 victory away at Torreense, the Aveiro-based outfit have come skyrocketing up the Liga 2 standings and they could astonishingly move within touching distance of the promotion spots on Thursday night. Storming their way to a stunning 5-1 romp when they travelled to Pafos Ferreira on December 14th, Lusitania have won four of their previous five Liga 2 appearances and the mood in their camp remains at a red-hot high. Cementing their spot as one of Portugal’s ultimate surprise packages this season, the midweek hosts have also suffered just a single second-tier defeat over the past two months. Despite their inconstancies in Santa Maria da Feira, Coimbra’s camp should be smelling a golden opportunity here.

As for the visitors, making an immediate return to losing ways last time out as they signed off 2025 with a nightmare 4-1 drumming at home against Maritimo, Leixoes sit rock-bottom of the Liga 2 standings and they are installed as the standout relegation candidate this season. Despite landing a much-welcomed 2-1 win against Portimonense on December 14th, it appears that was just a minor boost for the Marosinhos-based outfit. Watching their Taca de Portugal adventure come to a shock end back in November as they crashed out against fourth-tier outfit Vila Mea, Thursday’s guests have lost five of their previous six appearances across all competitions and they have shown some major issues at the back. Including an action-packed 4-2 defeat at home against Porto B last month, Leixoes have shipped 34 goals this season and hold the worst defensive tally among Portugal’s second-tier.

Bet: Lusitania 12/11 to beat Leixoes in Thursday’s Portugal Liga 2 battle @ Pribet