Team Form & Recent Performances

Benfica

• 2025/26 Record: 4W, 1D, 0L in Liga Portugal (13 points, 2nd); 2024/25 Liga Portugal 1st with 28W, 6D, 2L

• Latest Result: Won 3-0 vs. AVS (September 21, 2025), drew 1-1 vs. Santa Clara (September 14, 2025)

• Home Form: 2W, 1D, 0L in 3 Liga Portugal home games (7 goals scored, 2 conceded)

Benfica are unbeaten, chasing the title with a strong start. Their 3-0 win over AVS showcased attacking dominance, with 58% possession and multiple chances created. Their 1-1 draw against Santa Clara at home ended a three-game winless streak in domestic fixtures. At Estádio da Luz, they average 2.33 goals scored and 0.67 conceded per game. Over their last five games (4W, 1D, 0L), they’ve scored 11 goals and conceded 3. Injuries to Florentino Luís (thigh) and doubts over Renato Sanches (fitness) could affect midfield, but Ángel Di María and Vangelis Pavlidis are fit. Their 58% possession and 5.5 shots on target per game reflect control.

Gil Vicente

• 2025/26 Record: 4W, 1D, 1L in Liga Portugal (13 points, 4th); 2024/25 Liga Portugal 12th with 10W, 9D, 15L

• Latest Result: Won 2-0 vs. Estoril (September 20, 2025), won 2-0 vs. Bari (September 13, 2025)

• Away Form: 1W, 1D, 1L in 3 Liga Portugal away games (4 goals scored, 3 conceded)

Gil Vicente are in excellent form, unbeaten in six games and sitting 4th, just one point behind Benfica. Their 2-0 win over Estoril extended a three-game winning streak, with goals from Pablo Felipe and Joelson Fernandes. Their defensive solidity has kept clean sheets in three straight competitive matches. Away, they average 1.33 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per game. Over their last five games (4W, 1D, 0L), they’ve scored 9 goals and conceded 1. Injuries to Rafael Rodrigues (doubtful, muscle) and Carlos Eduardo (injured) weaken their squad, but Baptiste Roux is available. Their 51% possession and 3.8 shots on target per game show discipline.

Head-to-Head Stats & Historical Context

• Overall Record: Benfica lead with 24 wins to Gil Vicente’s 3, 3 draws in 30 matches

• Recent Meeting: March 28, 2025—Gil Vicente 0-5 Benfica (Liga Portugal)

• Key Trend: Benfica won 11 of the last 13 H2Hs; 7 of 7 saw both teams score, averaging 3.0 goals per game; Benfica won 6 of 7 home H2Hs

Benfica’s 5-0 thrashing of Gil Vicente in March 2025, with Vangelis Pavlidis scoring twice, continued their dominance. Historically, Benfica have won 24 of 30 meetings, including 11 of the last 13. Both teams scored in all seven recent H2Hs, with Benfica averaging 2.4 goals to Gil Vicente’s 0.7. Benfica’s home strength (2W in 3) meets Gil Vicente’s away resilience (1W, 1D in 3), but the H2H gap is stark.

Key Players to Watch

Benfica

• Vangelis Pavlidis (FWD): 10 goals in Liga Portugal; scored twice in last H2H. A prolific striker.

• Ángel Di María (MID): 2 goals, 3 assists in Liga Portugal. His creativity is unmatched.

• Anatoliy Trubin (GK): 5 clean sheets in Liga Portugal, 70% save rate. Reliable in goal.

Gil Vicente

• Pablo Felipe (FWD): 2 goals in Liga Portugal; scored vs. Estoril. A key finisher.

• Joelson Fernandes (FWD): 2 goals in Liga Portugal; netted vs. Estoril. Adds pace.

• Zé Carlos (GK): 4 clean sheets in Liga Portugal, 68% save rate. Crucial away.

Tactical Insights & Match Dynamics

Benfica’s 4-3-3, under José Mourinho, relies on Pavlidis’s finishing and Di María’s flair, with João Mário and Enzo Barrenechea in midfield, averaging 58% possession and 5.5 shots on target per game. Without Florentino Luís, they’ll lean on João Neves, targeting Gil Vicente’s 1.0 goals conceded away, but their 0.67 conceded at home is solid. Gil Vicente’s 4-4-2, led by César Peixoto, uses Felipe and Fernandes up top, with Baptiste Roux in midfield, averaging 51% possession and 3.8 shots on target. With Rodrigues doubtful, they’ll sit deep and counter, exploiting Benfica’s occasional transitions, but their 3/6 games conceding away is a worry. The 65,000-capacity Estádio da Luz will be electric, boosting Benfica’s press. Web buzz favors Benfica at 1.11 odds, with over 2.5 goals at 1.37, citing H2H dominance and Gil Vicente’s form.