The Estádio da Luz will host two sides keen to finish their season in strong form this weekend, as Benfica take on Nacional on Sunday in the 29th round of the 2025-26 Primeira Liga campaign. For Jose Mourinho’s side, recording a strong finish to the season depends on staying in the title race and closing the seven-point gap to league leaders Porto.

Benfica turned in a dominant display in their last outing but failed to establish a comfortable lead and were gutted to concede Rafael Brito’s brilliant 78th-minute equalizer from the edge of the box to see their visit to relegation-threatened Casa Pia end in a 1-1 draw.

The Eagles remain the only unbeaten team in the Portuguese top flight after 28 games, but have shown a tendency to drop vital points against weaker sides this season and will need to avoid that this weekend if they are to apply any pressure on Sporting CP and Porto above them.

Nacional will be convinced they need a result even more than Sunday’s hosts, as they currently sit level on points with Casa Pia in the relegation playoff spot after recording just six wins in 28 games.

The visitors secured an encouraging 2-0 win over Estrela Amadora on their return from the international break, snapping their nine-game winless run, but they will need to turn things up a notch if they are to avoid slipping back into familiar patterns against a much stronger side.

Benfica vs Nacional Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

• The sides have met on 51 previous occasions going into Sunday’s game. Benfica have won 40 of those games, and seven have ended in draws, while Nacional have won only four.
• Benfica have an outstanding goal-scoring record in this fixture with 35 goals scored across the last 10.
• Nacional are winless against the Reds since the 2010-11 season.
• Benfica boast the second-best offensive and the third-best defensive records in the Portuguese top flight, with 59 goals scored and only 18 conceded after 28 matches.
• Only two teams in the league have picked up fewer points on the road this season than Nacional, who have collected only 11 points from an obtainable 42.

Benfica vs Nacional Prediction

Jose Mourinho’s side have what it takes to cruise to an easy victory in front of their home fans and will rely heavily on their much better record in front of goal to get the vital three points.

Nacionalistas are simply not good enough to be considered a threat to Benfica this weekend, but could spring up a surprise should the hosts show any traces of complacency.

Prediction: Benfica 3-1 Nacional

Benfica vs Nacional Betting Tips

Tip 1 – Result: Benfica to win

Tip 2 – Goals – Over/under 2.5 – Over 2.5 goals (Six of the hosts’ last seven games have featured more than 2.5 goals scored)

Tip 3 – Both teams to score: Yes