Team Form & Recent Performances

Benfica

• 2025/26 Record: 4W, 1D, 0L in Liga Portugal (13 points, 2nd); 2024/25 Liga Portugal 1st with 23W, 10D, 5L

• Latest Result: Won 3-2 vs. Rio Ave (September 20, 2025), won 1-0 vs. Porto (Supercup, August 2025)

• Home Form: 2W, 0D, 0L in 2 Liga Portugal home games (6 goals scored, 1 conceded)

Benfica are in excellent form, unbeaten in the league and chasing the title. Their 3-2 win over Rio Ave, with a late winner, showcased attacking flair and resilience. At Estádio da Luz, they average 3.0 goals scored and 0.5 conceded per game. Over their last five games (4W, 1D, 0L), they’ve scored 12 goals and conceded 3. Injuries to Alexander Bah, Bruma, Dodi Lukebakio, and Manu Silva are concerns, with Angel Di María and Tomás Araújo facing fitness tests. Their 58% possession and 5.5 shots on target per game reflect dominance.

Gil Vicente

• 2025/26 Record: 3W, 1D, 1L in Liga Portugal (10 points, 6th); 2024/25 Liga Portugal 8th with 12W, 9D, 15L

• Latest Result: Won 2-0 vs. Estoril (September 20, 2025), won 2-0 vs. Bari (September 19, 2025)

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

Gil Vicente are in strong form, unbeaten in their last three games with two clean sheets. Their 2-0 win over Estoril highlighted defensive solidity. Away, they average 1.5 goals scored and 0 conceded per game. Over their last five games (3W, 1D, 1L), they’ve scored 7 goals and conceded 1. Injuries to Tidjany Touré, Jonathan Mutombo, and Carlos Eduardo persist. Their 51% possession and 3.8 shots on target per game show discipline.

Head-to-Head Stats & Historical Context

• Overall Record: Benfica lead with 20 wins to Gil Vicente’s 2, 2 draws in 24 matches

• Recent Meeting: September 2024—Benfica 3-0 Gil Vicente (Liga Portugal)

• Key Trend: Benfica won the last 6 H2Hs without conceding; 5 of 6 had under 2.5 goals, averaging 2.0 goals per game; Benfica won 5 of 6 home H2Hs

Benfica’s 3-0 win in the reverse fixture last season continued their dominance, keeping a clean sheet. Historically, Benfica have won 20 of 24 meetings, with Gil Vicente’s last win in 2017. Benfica have won all 6 recent H2Hs, including 3-0 at home. Under 2.5 goals in 5 of the last 6 H2Hs, with Benfica averaging 2.0 goals to Gil Vicente’s 0. Benfica’s home strength (2W in 2) meets Gil Vicente’s away resilience (1W, 1D in 2), but Benfica’s H2H edge is clear.

Key Players to Watch

Benfica

• Vangelis Pavlidis (FWD): 5 goals in Liga Portugal. In red-hot form with 5 in his last 7 games.

• Rafa Silva (FWD): 2 goals in Liga Portugal. Scored in both league appearances this season.

• Anatoliy Trubin (GK): 4 clean sheets in Liga Portugal, 72% save rate. Key against Gil Vicente’s attack.

Gil Vicente

• Pablo Felipe (FWD): 2 goals in Liga Portugal. Scored vs. Estoril, a consistent threat.

• Joelson Fernandes (FWD): 1 goal in Liga Portugal. Adds pace up top.

• Ziga Frelih (GK): 3 clean sheets in Liga Portugal, 70% save rate. Vital for away resilience.

Tactical Insights & Match Dynamics

Benfica’s 4-2-3-1, under Bruno Lage, relies on Pavlidis’s finishing and Silva’s flair, with João Mário and Florentino Luís in midfield, averaging 58% possession and 5.5 shots on target per game. Despite injuries, they’ll press high, targeting Gil Vicente’s defense, but their 0.6 conceded per game is solid. Gil Vicente’s 4-4-2, led by César Peixoto, uses Felipe and Fernandes’s pace, with Vítor Carvalho anchoring, averaging 51% possession and 3.8 shots on target. With injuries, they’ll sit deep and counter, exploiting Benfica’s high line, but their 0 conceded away is a strength. Estádio da Luz’s 65,000 fans will amplify Benfica’s intensity. Web buzz favors Benfica at 1.11 odds, with under 2.5 goals at 1.37, citing H2H clean sheets and Gil Vicente’s low scoring.