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Nacional will be seeking to snap their run of three back-to-back home defeats when they welcome Rio Ave to the Estadio da Madeira in round 33 of Primeira Liga on Saturday.
Petit’s men, meanwhile, head into the weekend off the back of a comfortable home victory over Estrela Amadora and will set out looking to secure consecutive wins for the first time since November.
We say: Nacional 2-2 Rio Ave
While it has been a turbulent campaign for both sides, Nacional and Rio Ave have guaranteed their top-flight status for another season and will be looking to close out the campaign on a high. However, we predict both sides will cancel out each other’s efforts and settle for a share of the spoils.
> Primeira Liga preview: Nacional vs Rio Ave
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Santa Clara‘s quest for European football goes down to the wire as they play host to Famalicao at the Estadio de Sao Miguel in the penultimate game of the 2024-25 Primeira Liga campaign on Saturday.
The hosts won the two meetings between the two sides this season, including a 1-0 victory in the Taca de Portugal in November, and will be looking to do the three-peat against the Vila Nova this weekend.
We say: Santa Clara 2-1 Famalicao
With just two games to go, Santa Clara know they must avoid any slip-ups as they look to leapfrog Vitoria de Guimaraes and secure the Conference League qualifying ticket. While Famalicao ave enjoyed success in their recent visits to the Estadio de Sao Miguel, we predict Matos’s side will go all out this weekend and come away with a narrow victory.
> Primeira Liga preview: Santa Clara vs Famalicao
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The Derby de Lisboa reaches fever pitch this weekend as Benfica and Sporting Lisbon lock horns in a penultimate Primeira Liga clash that could well determine the destination of the title.
Both sides found ways to edge past tricky opponents in their most recent outings to stay neck-and-neck on 78 points, though it is the hosts who trail by virtue of head-to-head count entering into this high-stakes encounter.
We say: Benfica 2-1 Sporting Lisbon
A Benfica victory by more than one goal will see the Eagles crowned champions, based on the head-to-head rule, while a Sporting win by any margin would hand the title to the Lions.
Expect a game brimming with emotion and caution, with the hosts under greater pressure to deliver, though playing at home could tip the balance in their favour.
> Primeira Liga preview: Benfica vs Sporting Lisbon
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With little more than pride on the line, Gil Vicente and Arouca face off this weekend at Estadio Cidade de Barcelos, each looking to round off their Primeira Liga campaign with a positive result.
Although the Roosters fell to a 2-1 defeat at Sporting Lisbon, they secured their place in the top flight for another season as AVS failed to claim the points needed in their own clash against Boavista, while the visitors have also sealed survival heading into the final stretch.
We say: Gil Vicente 1-1 Arouca
With nothing riding on the outcome for either side, the intensity may be dialled down, and a draw looks a likely outcome, particularly with Arouca’s recent struggles cancelling out their historic dominance in the fixture, while Gil Vicente’s last home win might prove to be an exception rather than the start of a trend.
> Primeira Liga preview: Gil Vicente vs Arouca
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Braga will look to return to winning ways and reignite their push for a top-three finish when they travel to Casa Pia this weekend in the penultimate Primeira Liga encounter of the 2024-25 campaign.
The Archbishops surrendered third place to Porto after back-to-back draws and now find themselves fourth on 65 points, while the hosts occupy ninth position with 42 points.
We say: Casa Pia 0-1 Braga
Although Braga have lacked sharpness in recent weeks, facing a struggling Casa Pia side without their captain at the back should hand them the edge, especially with third place still up for grabs and the visitors having more riding on the outcome.
> Primeira Liga preview: Casa Pia vs Braga
