Prediction: Benfica vs Porto

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

With the Portuguese Super Cup up for grabs on Wednesday night, Benfica will meet Porto at the Estadio Municipal de Aveiro.

Benfica

Starting with Benfica, enjoying what was a history-making campaign last season as they got their hands on a first domestic crown since 2019, Roger Schmidt’s men certainly impressed everyone across Portugal’s top-flight. Signing off the 2022/23 campaign with a routine 3-0 romp at home against Santa Clara, the Eagles will simply be hoping to carry on from where they left off back in May. Mounting what was a stunning charge after returning from the World Cup’s winter break, the former PSV boss saw his high-flying squad muster 16 points from just their final six Primera Liga showdowns. With that run underlined by a 5-1 romp away at Portimonense on May 13th, Benfica certainly gained a reputation for their free-scoring performances in the final third. Looking to collect their first piece of silverware of the season when they travel to the Estadio Municipal de Aveiro on Wednesday night, it should be noted that Schmidt’s side notched a staggering 82 domestic strikes last season.

Team News

Making the move to French giants PSG this week, Portugal international striker Goncalo Ramos will not feature here. However, arriving from Juventus on a free transfer this summer, ex-Real Madrid superstar Angel Di Maria should spearhead Benfica’s charge in midweek.

Arriving from Dutch outfit Feyenoord this summer in a deal worth €25million, Turkish international Orkun Kokcu will start in the middle of the park on Wednesday night.

Porto

As for Porto, eventually left heartbroken last season as they failed to defend their domestic crown thanks to a two-point deficit, the Portuguese giants will be desperate to come flying out of the traps this time around. Although Sergio Conceicao’s men might have failed to find much stability during their summer run, they did sign off the 2022/23 campaign with a stellar purple patch. It should be highlighted, the Dragons won each of their final nine straight Primeira Liga appearances on the bounce. Looking to make an early statement on Wednesday night, Porto should also be excited by a remarkable record against their main title rivals. In fact, along with claiming a 2-1 victory when they travelled to Benfica for a top-flight showdown back on April 7th, it should be noted that Conceicao’s men have lost just one of their last 11 straight meetings against the reigning Portuguese champions – a run that stems all the way back to March 2019.

Team News

Arriving from Barcelona last week in a deal worth €8.4million, Nico Gonzalez will make his full Porto debut on Wednesday night. Notching 22 top-flight strikes last season, attacking talisman and Iran international Mehdi Taremi will spearhead the Dragons’ charge in midweek.

Former Real Madrid ace Pepe will start at the heart of Conceicao’s defence here. 31-year-old Claudio Ramos could be handed the chance to feature between the sticks.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides last met back on April 7th, Porto picked up a 2-1 victory at the Estadio da Luz.
• Likewise, on what is a remarkable run, the Dragons have lost just one of their last 11 straight meetings against Benfica – a run that stems all the way back to March 2019.
• Five of the last seven meetings between the two Portuguese icons have finished with both teams finding the net.
• Porto signed off the 2022/23 campaign by winning each of their final nine straight Primeira Liga appearances on the bounce.
• Benfica notched a staggering 82 domestic strikes in their 34 top-flight appearances last season.

Conclusion

In what looks set to be a mouth-watering Super Cup showdown on Wednesday night, we could be treated to another thriller from the Estadio Municipal de Aveiro. Two Portuguese icons who certainly gained a reputation for their free-scoring displays last season, chances could come thick and fast here. While Porto might hold a remarkable rampant record against the reigning Primeira Liga champions, the two sides do have a habit of producing fireworks. It should be noted, with five of their previous seven meetings finishing with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome in midweek.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Olympusbet