Arouca v Benfica Lisbon Betting Tips [21 January 2022]

Arouca are having it tough in the Primeira Liga and here they are faced with a home match against a title contender, Benfica. Arouca are second from bottom, with 14 points while Benfica are third in the standings, with 41 points. Ahead of this match, Arouca had a tough encounter away to bottom side Belenenses, which they finished with two men less and in defeat. Belenenses walked away with three points in a 2-1 win as Andre Silva and Oday Dabagh got sent off. The defeat means they are winless in five straight games and they’ve conceded two or more goals in four of the last five matches. In their last five matches, Arouca have led at half time in just one game. In their last two league matches at home, they conceded 10 goals and scored just one.

Benfica have moved on from the two crashing defeats to arch rivals FC porto and have since gone unbeaten in two matches. They beat Pacos Ferreira 2-0 right after their second loss to Porto, and ahead of this game, they drew 1-1 with Moreirense. It hasn’t been very smooth for them, with one clean sheet in their last five matches, but going into this game they should be good enough to collect three points. Three of their last five matches have produced over 2.5 goals and both teams have scored in three of the five. In three of their last five league matches, Benfica have led at half time and full time and they have three wins in five league matches coming before this one.

Arouca have one of the poorest returns in defence, while here they go head to head with the best scoring side in the league. This is a clear mismatch and though Benfica haven’t done so well in recent matches, this is a game they should win easily. Their only three away losses in 17 matches have been against top sides and facing Arouca shouldn’t be a worry. Back Benfica to lead in both halves.