Benfica vs AFS Prediction & Betting Tips (21 February)

Benfica come into this Liga Portugal clash with momentum and a growing sense of authority, especially at Estádio da Luz. Over the past two months they have swept aside Estrela Amadora 4-0, controlled Rio Ave 2-0 away, and edged Alverca 2-1, all while staying unbeaten in the league. In Europe they produced a statement 4-2 home win over Real Madrid before narrowly losing 1-0 in the return game, underlining their ability to compete at the highest level. Domestically, Vangelis Pavlidis has been central, scoring braces against Estoril and Estrela Amadora and giving Benfica a reliable focal point in attack.

The recent fixture list also shows how Benfica respond to setbacks. A 1-3 League Cup defeat to Braga, previewed in detail at 1-3, was followed by a gritty cup loss away to Porto and then a strong reaction in the league, including that 4-0 dismantling of Estrela Amadora. Earlier, they had already shown resilience with a 2-2 draw away to Braga, a match many fans will remember for its late drama and which you can revisit via the 2-2 preview. This pattern of bouncing back quickly is a key part of the narrative heading into the AFS encounter.

AFS, meanwhile, arrive in Lisbon with a very different recent story. Their league form has been turbulent, with heavy defeats such as 6-0 away to Sporting and 4-0 at home to Braga, plus a 3-1 loss at Famalicão. Yet they have also shown flashes of life: a 3-3 thriller at Casa Pia, a hard-fought 2-2 home draw with Nacional, and a notable cup win away to Vitória Guimarães. Most recently, they finally enjoyed a convincing league victory, beating Estoril 3-0 at home, a result that eased some pressure and hinted that they can still trouble opponents when confidence flows.

When you place these trajectories side by side, the contrast is stark. Benfica’s mix of defensive control and attacking fluency—evident in wins like the 3-1 home success over Estoril and the steady stream of clean sheets in league play—suggests they are well equipped to handle an AFS side that has conceded heavily against the division’s stronger teams. AFS will likely defend deep and hope to counter, but Benfica’s recent record at home, their depth in forward areas, and the psychological boost from big European nights all point in one direction. With that in mind, a 3-0 correct score in Benfica’s favour feels like a realistic and well-grounded prediction for this matc