Benfica Lisbon v Maritimo Betting Tips [20 December 2021]

Benfica are looking to close the gap on the leading pack in the Primeira Liga and will be going for the three points when they host Maritimo in the next round of matches. Two losses and a draw have left Benfica third in the standings, on 34 points, four below the leaders. Meanwhile, Maritimo have 14 points in ninth place. Benfica recovered from the 3-1 loss to Sporting and have three straight wins since. They are the leading scorers in the league, with 39 goals in 14 matches, and they head to this game having scored two or more in four of the last five matches across all competitions. In the last five matches alone, they have scored 17 goals, conceded four and kept three clean sheets. Four of the matches have produced over 2.5 goals.

Maritimo are also unbeaten in their last three matches, but with two wins and a draw, as they recover from a poor start to the season. Wins over Pacos Ferreira and Santa Clara are their only victories in the last 13 matches and ahead of this game, they’ve managed just one clean sheet in five. Three of their last five matches have produced over 2.5 goals and they’ve let in two or more goals in two of the five matches. Maritimo have the poorest defence among the teams in the top nine, having conceded 19 goals while they aren’t the best in attack. Away from home, they have no win in their last seven matches; they managed just one – their first of the season, against Belenenses, and haven’t added to it.

Maritimo haven’t done well this season; they go to this game on the back of three unbeaten matches but their away run is poor. They haven’t done well defensively and will be tested to the maximum here. Their recent matches have seen multiple goals scored and they meet a Benfica side with a good scoring run in the league this season, so back this to produce over 2.5 goals.