Casa Pia will clash with Benfica at 02:15 on August 18, 2026, in the second round of the Primeira Liga. After a disappointing start to the season, Casa Pia is eager to secure a better result against a formidable opponent.

Casa Pia began their 2026/27 season with a narrow defeat against Maritimo, leaving them at the bottom of the table after the first round. Despite this setback, Casa Pia had a promising pre-season, winning three out of five friendly matches. Historically, they have posed challenges for Benfica, with their last encounter ending in a 1-1 draw. However, Benfica has had the upper hand overall, winning five of their last nine meetings.

On the other hand, Benfica is undergoing a significant transition after parting ways with Jose Mourinho. The newly appointed coach, Marco Silva, is working to reshape the team according to his philosophy. Benfica's opening match of the Primeira Liga was disappointing, as they let a lead slip twice, ultimately drawing 2-2 with newly promoted Academico Viseu. Concerns linger regarding their defense, which has struggled with aerial threats, although their attacking prowess remains strong.

Key players for Benfica, such as Vangelis Pavlidis and Gianluca Prestianni, have shown impressive form, contributing to their attacking efforts. Benfica recently achieved a commanding 6-1 victory over Hearts in the first leg of their Europa League tie, before drawing 1-1 in the return match, securing their place in the playoff round with an aggregate score of 7-2.

As both teams prepare for this crucial match, Casa Pia hopes to leverage their home advantage. However, Benfica's superior squad quality and the need to bounce back from recent disappointments make them the favorites to win. The predicted score for this encounter is Casa Pia 1 - 2 Benfica.

In terms of player availability, Casa Pia's Joao Goulart is uncertain, while Benfica will be without Fredrik Aursnes due to injury. The expected lineups are as follows:

• Casa Pia (4-2-3-1): Sequeira; Conte, Khaly, Sousa, Geraldes; Ofori, Perez; Rochinha, Clua, Pereira; Araujo
• Benfica (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Bah, Araujo, Lenglet, Samuel Dahl; Rios, Barreiro; Rafa Silva, Prestianni, Lukebakio; Pavlidis

With both teams eager to secure points, this match promises to be an exciting encounter in the Primeira Liga.