The weekend of 8-9 August 2026 features three betting selections identified by sports betting expert and Cameroonian journalist Arthur Wandji, with Sporting CP and Benfica backed to win convincingly and the meeting between SV Ried and SK Rapid Vienna tipped to produce goals at both ends.
Sporting CP v Estrela
Sporting CP go into this fixture as clear favourites after an outstanding run in front of goal during their latest official outings. The Lisbon side have won all four of their most recent matches, scoring 19 times in the process – an average of more than four goals per game.
Their attacking quality was underlined by a seven-goal victory over Strasbourg, further strengthening the case for a high-scoring home win.
Estrela have also enjoyed a positive pre-season, recording four victories and one draw from six friendlies. However, their defensive record against the leading sides in Liga Portugal remains a major concern. Estrela have lost each of their past 10 meetings with Sporting CP.
Across last season’s 34 league matches, Estrela collected only 30 points and conceded 56 goals. The contrast between the reigning champions’ attacking strength and Estrela’s defensive weakness points towards a comfortable Sporting CP victory, with the Lisbon club expected to score at least three goals.
Benfica v Academico Viseu
Benfica’s home record and defensive organisation make them strong favourites against Academico Viseu. The Eagles have won six successive matches at home in all competitions, while their last four victories at Estadio da Luz have brought 18 goals and only two conceded.
Benfica finished the previous league campaign with 80 points and had the second-best defence in the country, allowing just 25 goals in 34 matches. Those figures highlight the control and consistency they have shown against opponents from lower divisions.
Academico Viseu, who compete in Segunda Liga, face a significant tactical and technical challenge. Their attacking output away from home has been limited, with only three goals scored in their past six official away games.
Viseu have also lost their last four matches against top-flight opposition without scoring. Given the gap between the two squads, Benfica are expected to dominate possession, remain untroubled defensively and win without conceding.
SV Ried v SK Rapid Vienna
The third selection focuses on both teams to score when SV Ried host SK Rapid Vienna. The visitors have considerable attacking threat but continue to show weaknesses in their own defensive third.
SK Rapid Vienna have scored in nine of their past 10 matches in all competitions, producing 19 goals during that sequence. At the other end, however, they have conceded at least once in seven of those 10 official fixtures.
Their away form defensively is an additional concern. Across their last five matches on the road, the Vienna side have allowed eight goals, suggesting they have struggled to close down spaces when playing away from home.
SV Ried have made strong use of home advantage and have been reliable in attack in front of their own supporters. They have scored at least once in each of their last eight home matches, finding the net 15 times across that run.
Recent head-to-head meetings also support the goals-based selection: four of the last five encounters between SV Ried and SK Rapid Vienna have ended with both teams scoring. With SK Rapid Vienna offering a consistent threat in attack and SV Ried regularly finding the net at home, goals at both ends are expected.
Odds may change.
