Campeonato. Benfica em campo com Lage em jogo e o abraço a Sérgio Conceição

Benfica em crise de resultados coloca continuidade de Bruno Lage em risco. Sérgio Conceição defendeu o homólogo do clube da Luz e treinador encarnado agradeceu: “Um abraço para ele. Aqui não há inimigos, há adversários”

Com seis jornadas por disputar até fechar a Liga portuguesa, FC Porto e Benfica estão separados por três pontos. Porém, a curta distância entre o líder e o segundo classificado não podia ser mais enganadora. Com um regresso em falso de ambas as equipas à prova, retomada no início deste mês, os azuis-e-brancos deram na última jornada o primeiro sinal positivo na luta pelo título, com a goleada (4-0) no dérbi com o Boavista. Em sentido contrário foi apanhado o clube da Luz, que tropeçou novamente, desta vez ante o Santa Clara (3-4), agravando a crise de resultados no clube.

Com duas vitórias nos últimos 12 encontros disputados para todas as provas, as águias estão mergulhadas numa espiral negativa que coloca até em causa a continuidade do treinador Bruno Lage.

Depois de, em dezembro último, ter renovado contrato com o clube até dezembro de 2024, o técnico está agora cada vez mais perto da porta de saída. Se há uns dias era garantida a sua permanência pelo menos até ao final da época, a partir desta segunda-feira, todos os testes vão servir com uma verdadeira prova de fogo.

Um abraço sentido

O Benfica entra na tarde de hoje em campo na Madeira, onde o lugar de Lage vai estar em jogo. Na 29.a jornada, que ontem se iniciou (Boavista-Santa Clara), os encarnados vão defrontar o Marítimo. A formação madeirense é a primeira equipa a surgir acima da zona de despromoção – a quatro pontos do lanterna vermelha Portimonense – e todos os pontos são preciosos na luta pela manutenção.

Já o clube da Luz tenta o regresso às vitórias, sabendo de antemão que em caso de triunfo iguala provisoriamente o líder FC Porto. De resto, qualquer outro resultado pode ditar definitivamente um novo ciclo no comando técnico do Benfica. Lage tem neste momento sobre si todos os holofotes, e nem Sérgio Conceição evitou comentar quando confrontado com a situação que atravessa o homólogo do Benfica. “Se me perguntarem se gosto de ver a forma como está a ser discutido um colega de profissão como o Bruno Lage? Não gosto. Temos de aceitar porque fazemos parte de todo este mediatismo mas, sinceramente, não gosto de ver”, disse na conferência de imprensa de antevisão do encontro com o Paços de Ferreira, agendado para as 21h15.

As palavras solidárias do técnico portista não demoraram a obter uma reação do rival: “É com agrado que tive informação das palavras do Sérgio Conceição. Ele melhor que ninguém, porque teve a carreira que teve enquanto jogador e treinador, sabe o que é esta vida. Ele, recentemente, também passou por essa situação, e eu também não fiquei feliz”. “É o sinal de que aqui não há inimigos, há adversários”, acrescentou ainda o treinador do atual campeão nacional, antes de enviar um abraço para Conceição. “Não lhe desejo sorte [a Sérgio Conceição] porque a sorte dele não é a minha, mas um abraço”, rematou.

Depois de defrontar o Marítimo, os encarnados ainda vão medir forças com o Boavista (casa), Famalicão (fora), V. Guimarães (casa), Aves (fora) e Sporting (casa) até ao final do campeonato.

Já o FC Porto, que esta noite enfrenta os castores na capital do móvel, terá pela frente o Belenenses SAD (casa), Tondela (fora), Sporting (casa), Moreirense (casa) e Sp. Braga (fora).

Recorde-se que Benfica e FC Porto ainda vão disputar a final da Taça de Portugal, agendada para o próximo dia 1 de agosto, uma semana depois de ser disputada a última jornada do campeonato, prevista para 26 de julho.

Sporting de Jovane Cabral

A contrariar o regresso atípico dos dois candidatos ao título está o Sporting. Depois de ter empatado no primeiro jogo que marcou o reinício da Liga (ante o V. Guimarães), os leões registaram três vitórias consecutivas (frente ao Paços de Ferreira, Tondela e Belenenses SAD). De resto, o ponto em comum nestes três triunfos teve nome próprio: Jovane Cabral. O extremo luso-cabo-verdiano foi o protagonista, com um total de quatro golos, dois de livre direto, apontados de forma irrepreensível. Com 52 pontos, a equipa de Rúben Amorim surge isolada no último lugar do pódio – a 15 do líder FC Porto e a 12 do segundo classificado Benfica.

Depois de ter fechado a ronda 28 da Liga, o Sporting vai voltar a protagonizar o jogo de encerramento desta jornada, em 1 de julho (quarta-feira), com a receção ao Gil Vicente.

Pacos de Ferreira vs FC Porto Prediction & Match Preview

Pacos de Ferreira vs FC Porto
Portugal – Primeira Liga
Date: Monday, 29 June 2020
Kick-off at 21:15 UK/ 22:15 CET
Venue: Estadio da Capital do Movel (Pacos de Ferreira).

Pacos de Ferreira is on a winning streak late in the league, but the guest they are hosting were the runners-up last season and the current table-toppers in the league and has what it takes to impede the host’s run.

Pacos de Ferreira vs FC Porto Match preview

Ferreira’s on-the-road victory against Tondela last time out in the league with a 1-3 scoreline was their third win within the prior five fixtures in their schedule.

The host has 5 wins in their 14 league home matches so far. Three of their last five attempts as the host have failed in the campaign, but they had a win in the prior home appearance.

FC Porto is at the top of the table with 36 points lead over the host.

They are unbeaten in the last three matches with two wins in it, following a 4-0 home win against Boavista in the prior clash.

Having lost only 2 of their 14 fixtures in the campaign so far, the odds will probably be against the Beavers with such a poor home record in the league.

Pacos de Ferreira vs FC Porto Head-to-head (h2h)

• The guest has recorded four of the last five overall wins.
• Their previous encounter gave a 2-0 home win for FC Porto.
• Three of their recent four fixtures have seen both teams score.
• The host has two wins at home from their last ten clashes.

Pacos de Ferreira vs FC Porto Prediction

Ferreira is on a pleasant run in the league post lockdown and the Dragons are not so far behind. The host does not enjoy the home ground advantage as required in their league home matches so far.

Besides, FC Porto is the second-best away side in the campaign this season considering their league points in the away schedule.

With a close to 2 goals per match average in their away tours, the Dragons state a firm case for an away win in the clash with the Beavers.

The away win in full-time with 1.40 odds will thus be the best bet in the clash for decent returns.

The Dragons have not been shy in scoring goals when playing against Ferreira. The tip for over 1.5 goals by FC Porto will be a suitable option for the punters in the encounter.

Pacos de Ferreira vs FC Porto Betting tips

• FC Porto to win @ 1.40 (2/5).

• Over 1.5 goals by FC Porto @ 1.60 (3/5).

Maritimo vs Benfica Prediction & Match Preview

Maritimo vs Benfica
Portugal – Primeira Liga
Date: Monday, 29 June 2020
Kick-off at 18:00 UK/ 19:00 CET
Venue: Estadio dos Barreiros (Funchal).

Maritimo is prone to relegation in the league table this season. Meanwhile, Benfica will come in hot to possibly reach the top of the table with another three points.

Maritimo vs Benfica Match preview

With just one win in their last seven clashes in the campaign, Maritimo will only rely on hopes in winning the points to avoid relegation this season.

However, they must cope with a six-game winless streak against Benfica, especially in the latter’s recent two visits to Funchal in their h2h history.

The host was unbeaten in their recent two appearances at home, but an overall 4 wins in their 14 home matches so far in the campaign open doors for an easy win for the guests.

Benfica is the best away side in the campaign in sharp contrast with the home team. They are unbeaten in their last four tours in the campaign.

The visitor enjoys a 36 points lead over the host in the league table. Having lost only one of their 14 visits in the league so far, the Eagles will have an edge over Jose Gomes’s boys.

Maritimo vs Benfica Head-to-head (h2h)

• The guest is unbeaten in their last 7 overall meetings.
• Their last four matches saw the host giving away clean sheets.
• The host has recorded one of the last five wins at home.
• Their previous encounter gave a 4-0 home win for Benfica.

Maritimo vs Benfica Prediction

Maritime is just four points away from relegation’s edge in the league table as it stands. Their home ground advantage is futile against the reigning champions coming in hot at them.

In the reverse fixture this season, their visit to Benfica was met with a massive 4-0 loss. It is not like they could, they could pay back even at home with their poor form.

The away win in full-time will be the best bet in the clash with 1.44 odds to yield decent returns in the game for the punters.

The Eagles have kept an average of 2.0 goals per match in their away fixtures in the campaign. The tip for over 1.5 goals by Benfica in ninety minutes will thus be a suitable option for the punters.

Maritimo vs Benfica Betting tips

• Benfica to win @ 1.44 (4/9).

• Over 1.5 goals by Benfica @ 1.57 (4/7).

Aves vs Moreirense Prediction & Match Preview

Aves vs Moreirense
Portugal – Primeira Liga
Date: Monday, 29 June 2020
Kick-off at 17:00 UK/ 18:00 CET
Venue: Estadio do CD das Aves (Vila das Aves).

CD Aves has settled at the ultimate bottom of the table as it stands, with their 14 points from 4 wins in 28 league appearances this season. With Moreirense coming in strong at them, the host will have troubles at home.

Aves vs Moreirense Match preview

Aves will host after a 3-0 loss on the road against Gil Vicente, last time out in the campaign. Nuno Manta Santos’s boys haven’t scored a goal in their prior five fixtures.

The host has three wins in their last 14 home matches so far in the league. Winless in their last six attempts at home, the host will lack their ground advantage in the game.

Moreirense has lost only one of their prior ten clashes in the campaign. However, their last three clashes were winless with two consecutive draws in it.

The visitor has only two wins in their 14 away fixtures until now, but they are unbeaten in their previous five tours in the campaign.

Vitor Campelos and his men had a 3-2 win in the reverse fixture with the host this season. It will put them slightly ahead of the home team in the encounter.

Aves vs Moreirense Head-to-head (h2h)

• The guest has recorded four of the last five overall wins.
• Only one of their last four matches has seen both teams score.
• Their previous encounter gave a 3-2 home win for Moreirense.
• The host is winless at home in their prior three fixtures.

Aves vs Moreirense Prediction

Aves is not at their best form in the league this season and is a strong candidate for relegation in the campaign table.

They are struggling in the contest and could likely be called the punching bag for other teams in the league at this point.

The host does not display any cases of using their home ground advantage in the league.

The visitor hasn’t been that successful on the road, but their recent unbeaten streak in the away games will be probably enough to trouble the host.

The tip for a draw no bet over Moreirense with 1.40 odds will be the best bet for the punters in the clash along with the bet for over 1.5 goals in ninety minutes.

Aves vs Moreirense Betting tips

• Draw no bet: Moreirense @ 1.40 (2/5).

• Over 1.5 goals @ 1.40 (2/5).

Genclerbirligi vs Kasimpasa Prediction & Match Preview

Genclerbirligi vs Kasimpasa
Turkey – Super Lig
Date: Monday, 29 June 2020
Kick-off at 19:00 UK/ 20:00 CET
Venue: Eryaman Stadium.

The Apaches just might be the best team in the competition at the moment – based on their recent form. They are on four-game winning run, and a six-match unbeaten run (of which five were wins), which even the toppers Basaksehir have failed to replicate.

Meanwhile, the Youth are a newly-promoted team to this league, and they are finding it hard to keep up with the challenges of the top flight. On top of that, they are also struggling in recent fixtures to perform satisfactorily.

Considering these factors, as well as the fact that the Apaches are trying their best to put as much gap as they can over the relegation line, the basic expectation is that Kasimpasa are about to deliver the better performance.

Genclerbirligi vs Kasimpasa: Head-to-head (h2h)

• The last time these two met on the pitch, the Youth recorded a 1-2 win on the road.
• The game before that saw the Apaches record a 3-1 victory.
• A total of two clean sheets were kept by the Apaches from the past five encounters.
• The hosts failed to score goals in the latest encounter at this ground.

Genclerbirligi vs Kasimpasa: Prediction

The Apaches are on a four-match winning run – the best in the league. And they also recorded a 2-0 victory against Fenernahce, one of the titans of the Super Lig, the last match-day.

Going on, they are also on a six-fixture unbeaten run, and kept clean sheets in four of these match-ups, and scored two or more goals in five of these games.

On the other hand, the Youth are not only an inexperienced team from the lower division, that got promoted just the last summer, but they are also struggling at the moment to cope with the challenges of the Super Lig.

In fact, they were winless in four of their last five overall games, and also had failed to score in three of these five match-ups.

Taking into account these observations, expect Kasimpasa to dominate proceedings this Monday.

Genclerbirligi vs Kasimpasa: Betting Tips

• Double Chance: Kasimpasa or Draw @ 1.50 (1/2)

• Kasimpasa +0.5, +1 Asian Handicap @ 1.40 (2/5).

Crystal Palace vs Burnley Prediction & Match Preview

Crystal Palace vs Burnley
England – Premier League
Date: Monday, 29 June 2020
Kick-off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue: Selhurst Park.

Both these teams are currently level on points, and are placed tenth and eleventh in the table. However, they are just three points away from the final European spot, currently in possession of Tottenham.

Other than the Spurs, there are Arsenal as well as Sheffield United on top of the Glaziers and the Clarets in league standings.

It needs to be mentioned that the Blades are taking on the Spurs next, and as such, and one of them will surely be dropping points. As such, whoever wins the upcoming encounter at the Selhurst Park, will gain considerable momentum in their race to qualify for Europe.

As such, it’s going to be a fierce set of ninety minutes for either team. However, considering the recent impressive form of the Glaziers, and their h2h record over this opponent, it’s thought that Crystal Palace are on course to record a win this Monday.

Crystal Palace vs Burnley: Head-to-head (h2h)

• The reverse fixture had ended in a 0-2 win on the road.
• The Glaziers are on a four-game winning run against this opponent.
• Ten of the preceding sixteen overall wins had gone to the Glaziers.
• Since 2001, the Clarets have won just once at this venue.
• Nine of the preceding twelve encounters at this stadium saw the home team keeping clean sheets.

Crystal Palace vs Burnley: Prediction

The Glaziers lost 4-0 on the road the last match-day, against Liverpool. However, the heavy loss cannot be held against the team, as the Reds are just that good a team at the moment. It’s no shame to lose against them.

In the meantime, the Clarets recorded a 1-0 win at home the past match-day, against Watford. The sole goal of the fixture came late into the second half, in the 73rd minute.

In terms of the result for the coming Monday, the Glaziers seem the favorites. They were on a four-game winning run before their loss against Liverpool, and they also had not conceded a single goal in these four match-ups.

On the other hand, their counterparts were winless in three of their preceding four overall games, and had a total of four wins away from home this whole season. Importantly, three of these total four wins had come against the bottom-six of the Premier League table.

Moreover, the Glaziers are on a four-game winning run against this rival, and at this venue, they have lost just once in the past 19 years. Taking into account these observations, expect Crystal Palace to deliver the better performance.

Crystal Palace vs Burnley: Betting Tips

• Crystal Palace 0, +0.5 Asian Handicap @ 1.40 (2/5)

• To Win Either Half: Crystal Palace @ 1.75 (3/4).

Getafe vs Real Sociedad Prediction & Match Preview

Getafe vs Real Sociedad
Spain – LaLiga
Date: Monday, 29 June 2020
Kick-off at 21:00 UK/ 22:00 CET
Venue: Coliseum Alfonso Perez.

Getafe is on an unbeaten run, and Real Sociedad is in a losing streak in the campaign. The visitor is two points behind the home team in the league table and with the latter’s ground advantage; they have a chance in taking all three points from the clash.

Getafe vs Real Sociedad Match preview

The 1-1 draw on the road with Real Valladolid in their last game marked Getafe’s third consecutive draw in the league schedule.

They are unbeaten in four of their last five clashes, but they haven’t had a win in any of it. With just three losses in their 16 home matches, they enjoy the ground advantage in the game.

Real Sociedad is on a three-game losing streak in the campaign, following a 0-1 loss at home against Celta Vigo last time out in their schedule.

The visitor has 7 losses in their 15 away fixtures in the league so far. Four of their last five tours in the schedule have ended in a loss.

In the reverse fixture this season, Getafe won their visit with a 1-2 score on the board. They will aim to carry on their form from that match with more advantages at home.

Getafe vs Real Sociedad Head-to-head (h2h)

• The host has recorded four of the last five wins.
• Both teams have scored in 4 of the prior 5 fixtures.
• The guest is winless in their last three visits since 2015.
• Their prior encounter gave a 1-2 away win for Getafe.

Getafe vs Real Sociedad Prediction

Getafe will try to stay in the promotion zone for the Europa League qualifiers. The host will enjoy their home ground advantage in the encounter.

They have been successful in the last three times they hosted Sociedad at their turf. Since the visitor is not so feisty on the road lately, the odds will also favor the home team.

The punters can go with a double chance in the game, favoring Getafe with 1.40 odds to yield decent returns and have a safer bet.

Their meetings have mostly produced at least two goals in a game and hence, the tip for over 1.5 goals with 1.50 odds will be a suitable option for the punters.

Getafe vs Real Sociedad Betting tips

• Double chance: Getafe or Draw @ 1.40 (2/5).

• Over 1.5 goals @ 1.50 (1/2).