Eagles to flap at Pacos Ferreira

30Jan 2013

Betfair

Benfica are hot favourites for their match with Pacos Ferreria in the Taca de Portugal this evening but Paul Robinson thinks the hosts can take something from this first leg of their semi-final tie.

Pacos Ferreira are having a good campaign and they find themselves in fourth spot of the Primeira Liga. After 16 matches they have collected 28 points, which is just one point behind Sporting Braga and in third, but more importantly, six clear of Rio Ave in fifth.

Getting through to the last four of the cup is also a fantastic achievement and clearly represents their best chance of winning a trophy this season. If they can somehow squeeze past Benfica then they would likely be favourites for the final so that is a huge incentive going into this tie. If they are to do that though they need to get some kind of positive result to take to Estádio da Luz and six wins and two draws from their last eight at home will give them hope.

Benfica are once again battling it out with Porto at the top of the league, miles clear of Braga in third. They did crash out of the Champions League during the group phase though so they are susceptible to poor results.

The Eagles are in hot form at the moment, not having lost since their trip to Spartak Moscow back in October. Following that 2-1 defeat they have played 19, won 16 and drawn three. Jorge Jesus' side also have a fantastic head to head record against tonight's opponents, but this is the first leg of two and he would probably settle for a draw going into the home match.

Benfica are clearly the worthy favourites for this game but the cup can provide some funny results at times and with it being only the first leg, I think the away side are just a bit too short. That's why at around the 1.59 mark, I have to make them my lay of the day.

Recommended Bet

Lay Benfica v Pacos Ferreira @ 1.59