Estrela Amadora Vs Benfica

Round 20 of the Primeira Liga will feature a compelling showdown between Estrela Amadora and Benfica at the Estadio Jose Gomes on Sunday.

Estrela Amadora, a side struggling to find their footing, will be desperate to secure their first victory since December, as they attempt to put an end to a four-match winless streak. Sitting precariously near the relegation zone, they need a strong performance to avoid falling further into danger. On the other hand, Benfica, currently positioned second in the standings, will be looking to steer clear of a third consecutive away defeat—a scenario they have not experienced in the last 15 years.

Estrela ended 2024 in 12th place with 16 points from as many matches, but the dawn of 2025 has not been kind to them. They have been unable to clinch a win in their four most recent top-flight fixtures, and now face the prospect of extending their winless run to five matches for the first time since September 2024. This recent slump has stalled their ambitions of climbing into the top half of the table, instead pulling them into a heated battle for survival.

A major concern for head coach Jose Faria is the sharp downturn in their home performances. Previously formidable on their own turf, Estrela suffered a 4-2 defeat at the hands of Estoril in gameweek 19, a result that shattered their three-game home winning streak and ended an impressive three-month unbeaten run in their own backyard. To compound their misery, they fell 1-0 to Sporting Braga in their subsequent home fixture, marking back-to-back losses in front of their fans.

Despite these recent struggles, Estrela have shown resilience at home throughout the season, and only five teams in the entire league have managed more home victories than them. Fourteen of their total 17 points have been secured at the Estadio Jose Gomes, underscoring their dependence on home form. As they prepare to face Benfica, they will take some encouragement from their opponents' unsteady away record. However, the stakes are high—should they fail to earn at least a point, and if SC Farense pulls off a surprising victory over Sporting Lisbon, Estrela could find themselves dropping into the bottom two.

Meanwhile, Benfica will be eager to recover from their most recent league setback, a 3-1 loss against Casa Pia at the Estadio Municipal de Rio Maio. Casa Pia, who are pushing for a spot in European competition next season, handed the Eagles a humbling defeat, adding to Benfica's recent inconsistencies.

Currently trailing league leaders Sporting Lisbon by six points, Benfica must secure a win to remain in the title race. Their form has been patchy in recent weeks, managing just one victory in their last four league outings. Another loss would mark an unwanted milestone for the team, as it would be the first time since September 2010 that they have suffered three consecutive away defeats.

However, history is on Benfica's side when it comes to their encounters with Estrela Amadora. In the corresponding fixture last season, the Eagles recorded a resounding 4-1 victory. More recently, they dismantled Estrela 7-0 in a cup clash at the Estadio da Luz. These dominant performances highlight the gap in quality between the two teams and give Benfica confidence heading into the match.

Further strengthening their case, Benfica possess one of the most potent attacking forces in the league. With 43 goals scored so far this season, they boast an average of 2.26 goals per game. This firepower should be a significant concern for Estrela, whose defense has been alarmingly porous in recent weeks, conceding five goals in their last two matches.

Given the recent performances of both sides, this encounter promises to be a crucial one for each team, albeit for very different reasons. Estrela Amadora will need to rediscover their resilience at home to avoid sinking deeper into relegation trouble, while Benfica must regain momentum in their title chase and put an end to their poor away form.