Thursday's Primeira Liga football predictions including Porto vs. Benfica

Pacos de Ferreira vs. Santa Clara (Thursday, 5.00pm)

The Portuguese Primeira Liga returns with a fresh set of absorbing contests as Pacos de Ferreira play host to Santa Clara at the Capital do Movel Municipal Stadium.

Having both had to grind out tough victories in their last outing, this game has all the makings of an exciting contest as just one paint and three places separate them in the league standings.

We say: Pacos de Ferreira 1-1 Santa Clara

Looking at past encounters between the two sides, we can expect a thrilling contest on Thursday. While Santa Clara have been decent in recent weeks, they have struggled to get going on the road so far. Pacos de Ferreira, meanwhile, are without a win in their last eight home games and we predict both sides will settle for a share of the spoils.

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Arouca vs. Braga (Thursday, 7.00pm)

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Having seen their Taca de Portugal campaign come to an end last time out, Braga will be looking to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Arouca at the Estadio Municipal de Arouca on Thursday.

The hosts, on the other hand, head into the game without a win in any of their last three games and will be seeking to end this dry spell and move into the top half of the Primeira Liga table.

We say: Arouca 1-2 Braga

While Braga appear to have fallen off the rails in recent weeks, they head into Thursday's game unbeaten in each of their last six games against Arouca. We predict they will extend their dominance in this fixture and claim all three points, albeit by a slender margin.

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Porto vs. Benfica (Thursday, 9.00pm)

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It is a clash of the heavyweights in round 16 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga as Porto and Benfica go toe to toe at the Estadio do Dragao on Thursday.

This will be the second meeting between the sides within the space of seven days after Porto secured a comprehensive 3-0 victory when they squared off in the last-16 of the Taca de Portugal last Thursday.

We say: Porto 2-1 Benfica

Porto head into Thursday's game in outstanding form in the league, claiming 10 straight victories, with four of the last five coming with clean sheets. They have avoided defeat in each of their last seven meetings with Benfica, and considering their current form, we predict this run will continue with the visitors falling to yet another defeat.

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