Weekend betting preview: goals expected as Portugal’s big two face favourable ties

Arthur Wandji, a Cameroonian sports journalist and betting expert, has selected three matches for a weekend accumulator on 8-9 August 2026, with Sporting CP, Benfica and a goals market involving SK Rapid among his main recommendations.

Sporting CP go into their meeting with Estrela as strong favourites after a prolific run in their recent official matches. The Lisbon side have won all four of their latest competitive fixtures, scoring 19 goals in the process – an average of more than four per game.

Their attacking quality was underlined by a seven-goal-plus performance against Strasbourg, and Sporting CP’s forward line will be expected to cause major problems again. Estrela also enjoyed a productive preparation period, winning four and drawing one of their six friendly matches.

However, Estrela’s defensive record against the leading sides in Liga Portugal remains a concern. They have lost each of their past 10 meetings with Sporting CP. Across the whole of last season, Estrela collected only 30 points from 34 league matches and conceded 56 goals.

The difference between Estrela’s defensive weaknesses and Sporting CP’s current attacking form points towards a comfortable victory for the reigning champions, with the prediction expecting the Lisbon club to score at least three times.

Benfica expected to control Academico de Viseu

Benfica begin their domestic meeting with strong defensive credentials and a record of control against teams from lower divisions. The Eagles have won their past six home matches in all competitions.

In their four most recent victories at Estadio da Luz, Benfica scored 18 goals and conceded only two. Their performance during the previous league campaign also reflected that defensive solidity: they finished with 80 points and had the second-best defence in the country, allowing 25 goals in 34 matches.

Academico de Viseu, who play in Segunda Liga, face a significant tactical challenge. The visitors have struggled to create chances away from home, scoring only three times in their past six official away matches.

Their record against top-flight opponents is also poor. Academico de Viseu have lost their last four matches against first-division clubs without scoring. Given the technical gap between the two squads, Benfica are expected to dominate possession, win comfortably and keep a clean sheet.

Both teams backed to score in Ried v SK Rapid

SK Rapid travel to SV Ried with an attack capable of making an impact, although their defensive record continues to give cause for concern. The Vienna side have scored in nine of their past 10 matches in all competitions, producing 19 goals during that sequence.

At the other end, they have conceded at least once in seven of those 10 competitive fixtures. Their recent away form has highlighted the same weakness, with eight goals conceded across their last five matches on the road.

SV Ried have made strong use of home advantage and have shown consistent scoring form in front of their own supporters. They have found the net in each of their past eight home games, scoring 15 goals over that run.

The head-to-head record also supports the expectation of an open contest. Four of the last five meetings between SV Ried and SK Rapid ended with both teams scoring. With SK Rapid carrying an effective attack and the hosts producing regularly at home, the recommended selection is for goals at both ends.

Odds may change.