Benfica get their 2026-27 Primeira Liga campaign underway when they play host to Academico Viseu at the Estadio da Luz on Sunday. Back in the Portuguese top flight after a 38-year absence, Academico Viseu will be aiming to mark their return with an unlikely early league upset.
Benfica have hit the ground running under new coach Marco Silva, with As Aguias edging out Swiss outfit St. Gallen 6-2 in the Europa League second qualifying round back in July before claiming an emphatic 6-1 victory over Scottish side Hearts in the first leg of their third-round clash last Thursday.
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Despite an impressive unbeaten run in the Primeira Liga last season, Benfica finished eight points clear of champions Porto and two behind Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League qualifying spot.
After an impressive five-year stint with Fulham, Portuguese coach Silva has now been tasked with delivering a first Primeira Liga title since 2023, and the 49-year-old tactician will look to mark his return to Portuguese football since leaving Sporting CP in 2015 on a high.
Meanwhile, Academico Viseu ended their 38-year absence from the Primeira Liga just by the skin of their teeth last season, after finishing second in the Segunda Liga standings on goal difference.
Bruno Pinheiro’s men picked up 17 wins and eight draws from their 34 games to collect 59 points, level with third-placed Torrense outside the automatic promotion spot, but edging out the Torres Vedras outfit thanks to a +12 goal difference.
Academico Viseu head into the new campaign off the back of an unconvincing pre-season run, picking up just one win from their four warm-up games while losing twice and claiming one draw.
Benfica vs Academico Viseu Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- This will be the first meeting between Benfica and Academico Viseu, and both teams will be aiming to begin their head-to-head record on a positive note.
- Benfica finished the 2025-26 Primeira Liga season as the only unbeaten team at home, picking up 23 wins and 11 draws from 34 matches.
- Academico Viseu are unbeaten in seven of their last nine competitive matches, claiming four wins and three draws since mid-March.
- Benfica are on a run of eight straight competitive home games without defeat, picking up two draws and six wins, including consecutive victories over St. Gallen and Hearts in the Europa League qualifiers.
Benfica vs Academico Viseu Prediction
While Academico Viseu will be looking to mark their return to the Portuguese top flight on a winning note, they have their work cut out against a superior and free-scoring Benfica side, who are firing on all cylinders on the continental scene.
That said, we predict Silva’s men will maintain their Europa qualifying form and make light work of the inexperienced visitors.
Prediction: Benfica 3-0 Academico Viseu
Benfica vs Academico Viseu Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – Benfica to win
Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals – Yes (There have been at least three goals scored in nine of Benfica’s last 10 games)
Tip 3: Over 4.5 cards – No (There have also been fewer than five bookings in five of the hosts’ last six outings)
Edited by Peter Pedroncelli