Benfica host Vitória Guimarães on October 11 in a Liga Portugal fixture that brings the competition back after a three-week break. The match is scheduled for 17:00 local time at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica in Lisboa. Benfica return needing a response to their 3-1 defeat at Porto, while Vitória Guimarães are looking for their first win in five matches. The hosts are second with 16 points; the visitors are 14th with five. Their contrasting results make Benfica the stronger side on paper, but both teams have reasons to view this meeting as an important test.

Benfica's Recent Form and Key Stats

Benfica began their league campaign with a 2-2 draw against Académico Viseu, then recorded five consecutive wins before losing at Porto on September 20. Their seven Liga Portugal matches have produced five wins, one draw and one defeat. Across their last five matches in all competitions, they have won four and lost one, scoring an average of 2.6 goals and conceding 0.8 per game. In the league, those averages rise to 3.1 scored and 1.0 conceded.

The Porto result interrupted a strong run that also included a 2-0 away victory over AC Milan in the Europa League. Benfica had encouraging spells in that league defeat, but Clément Lenglet's red card made the task harder. He is suspended for this fixture, while Enzo Barrenechea and Jakub Kaminski are also confirmed absentees. Alexander Bah and Georgiy Sudakov remain doubtful because of shoulder and ankle problems, respectively.

Benfica's scoring record gives them a clear source of confidence. They have found the net in each of their last 27 matches and in each of their last 21 Liga Portugal games. In their last 12 home league fixtures, they have scored at least twice every time. Their previous 12 league matches have each featured more than 2.5 total goals, while each of their last 12 league home games has produced more than 1.5 total goals. Vangelis Pavlidis has scored 14 goals in 13 Benfica appearances this season, and Gianluca Prestianni has contributed eight goals and three assists in 12 outings.

Vitória Guimarães' Recent Form and Key Stats

Vitória Guimarães have had a more difficult start to their Liga Portugal campaign. Their record after seven matches is one win, two draws and four defeats, with averages of 0.7 goals scored and 1.1 conceded per game. Their last five matches have brought one victory, two draws and two losses, alongside an average of just 0.6 goals scored. Those figures underline the challenge of visiting a Benfica side that has scored consistently at home.

Their most recent outing ended 1-1 against Moreirense on September 20, extending their winless run to four games. Vitória Guimarães fell behind before equalising late, having also suffered a 2-1 defeat at Académico Viseu in their previous match. They have produced promising passages of play, but the results have not reflected those moments often enough. Improving their finishing will be particularly important if opportunities are limited against Benfica.

Gustavo Silva and Oumar Camara have been among the players used regularly in Vitória Guimarães' attack. At the other end, the contributions of João Mendes and Thiago Balieiro have been important to their defensive line. The visitors will be without Alioune Ndoye, who is serving the second game of a three-match suspension, as well as goalkeeper José Ribeiro.

Benfica vs Vitória Guimarães Match Analysis

The contrast between Benfica's home scoring and Vitória Guimarães' recent attacking output is central to this match preview. Benfica have scored at least once in their last 13 home league games and at least twice in their last 12. Vitória Guimarães, meanwhile, have averaged fewer than one goal per game both across the league season and over their last five matches. If the hosts maintain their usual attacking output, the visitors will need a sharper response in front of goal than their recent results have shown.

Benfica also have the stronger recent head-to-head record: across the five meetings covered by the supplied figures, they have won four and drawn one, averaging 2.4 goals scored and 0.4 conceded. The latest meeting finished 3-0 on March 21. That record adds to Benfica's case, although their Porto defeat shows why they cannot rely on previous results alone.

There are reasons to expect an active game rather than a cautious one. Benfica's last 12 league fixtures have all contained more than 2.5 total goals, and Vitória Guimarães have shown a willingness to play positively despite their inconsistent results. Nevertheless, Benfica's five league wins compared with Vitória Guimarães' one, their established home scoring run and their unbeaten record in these recent meetings make a home victory the most coherent conclusion.

Benfica vs Vitória Guimarães prediction from BetMines: Benfica win (1) with 76% probability.