Benfica – Alverca: Preview
We have predictions for the match between Casa Pia and Alverca in the context of the 10th matchday of the 2026/27 Portuguese League.
The 10th matchday of the Primeira Liga will conclude in Lisbon, where Benfica, having forgotten their problems, will try to close the gap with Porto in the encounter against decent Alverca.
Key points
Benfica
1. Benfica’s break seems unnecessary
Before the match against Jil Vicente (4:1) there were some suspicions of a possible slowdown of Benfica players after their third game in a week, but fortunately this was not confirmed. In the game against the Jilistas, the eagles, even when on the bench, showed their best qualities: they shot 27 times at the opponent’s goal (10 into the net), dominated the ball effectively, which led to the usual victory. The match against Alverca, which will take place after four days of rest, is also very important as the reds, considering recent results, remain the only possible competitor for Porto at the top of the Primeira Liga table.
2. Kaminski returned, Pavidis, Prestiani and Rafa Silva will be fresh
The meeting with Jil Vicente, fortunately, did not create additional lineup problems for Mark Silva. As expected, in the cup Silva used a good part of the backup, giving a full rest, for example to Wangelis and Pavidis. In addition, Yacub Kaminski appeared on the bench of the Jilistas, giving additional opportunities to the coach, but not with the rested Gianlucca Prestiani and Rafe Silva. With Alverca, a more usual lineup will likely feature the previously mentioned heroes, as well as Alexander Ba and Tomas Araújo. John Duran’s suspension will also be needed, who received a red card for “unintelligible words” to the referee in the game against Santa Clara (2:1).
3. Another source of points for Benfica
The history of direct encounters between Benfica and Alverca is not extensive, but still favors the eagles. Of 14 direct encounters, 10 ended with a win for the Lisbon team and only three were lost. In the last six direct encounters, Benfica won six times, scoring two or three goals in each game, while conceding in four different matches.
Alverca
1. Alverca made mistakes twice and must add points
Alverca, once again occupying the middle of the Portuguese League table, interrupted a good run and lost two consecutive matches. The exit from the Portuguese league tournament with Tondela (0:2) was sad but fair: the reds and blues played a lot with the ball, but did not manage to create enough opportunities. With Arouca (0:1) the opposite situation arose, as Alverca became the subject of test, suffered an impressive siege and the smallest margin of the score turned out to be a little luck. The situation remains active, although the density in the middle of the Primeira Liga table is very high.
2. The elimination of Basseya intensified the defensive problem, Vidigal will not return to the field
The defeat in the last matchday is even more painful due to two expulsions. At the beginning of the match with Arouca, one of Alverca’s main defenders, Steven Basseya, kicked the ball carelessly and received a red card. The second expulsion occurred after the match, when tension reached its peak and the reserve midfielder André Vidigal was also sent to the break.
3. Alverca stopped scoring again
Last season the reds and blues finished with a goal difference of -17 in goals scored and conceded, with 35 penalties in 34 matches. This year, after the defeat against Porto (0:2), Alverca managed to score in seven consecutive matches (13 goals in nine games), but failed to beat their recent opponents, although they had the opportunity to be both the first and second number.
Estimated lineups
4-2-3-1-3-4-2-1-24
Soares 26
Daal 2
Langley 44
Araújo 6
Ba 36
Palinija 8
Aursnes 21
Schlederup 25
Prestiani 27
Silva 14
Pavidis 31
Mendes 4
Bodjangan 21
Gomes 12
James 20
Spencer 35
Lucas 6
Guay 55
Chissumba 10
Shikine 22
Figueiredo 19
Camara
Trend betting
In five of the last six direct encounters, the team scored at least three goals. TB 3 for 1.72
Benfica stopped Alverca in four of the last six direct encounters. IT2B 0.5 for 1.92
Forecast
Benfica vs Alverca 03.11.2026 00:15
Benfica has found the ideal rhythm again and seems not to need rest. After the tough win over Santa Clara (2:1), the eagles’ reserve solved the match with Jil Vicente (4:1) in the Portuguese Cup without problems and extended the winning streak to five consecutive victories.
Alverca went in the opposite direction and after three consecutive wins lost twice. The defeat against Tondela (0:1) was frustrating due to lack of effectiveness, and the defeat against Arouca (0:1) was completely toothless against a dominant rival.
There is no reason to doubt Benfica’s success in this game. Mark Silva gave rest to most of the leaders and works smartly with the staff in load distribution, and Alverca not only could not score in the last two matches, but also lost its main central defender to expulsion. In addition, Benfica has six victories in its last six direct encounters with Alverca with at least two goals scored.
Forecast: 3-1
