Our prediction for this Portugal Primeira Liga match:
Benfica will be aiming to build on a hard-fought 2-1 win over Santa Clara when they take on Tondela at Estadio Joao Cardoso on Matchday 30. The Eagles are determined to book their place in the Champions League, and they are likely to stick to their attacking style of play. Chiquinho, who scored the winner on Monday evening, is pushing for a start, while Gabriel returns from suspension.
Tondela, on the other hand, have little to play for in the season finale as they are stuck in the middle of the standings. Pako Ayestaran’s troops suffered four defeats in the previous five meetings with Benfica, which is yet another reason why we are tempted to put our money on the capital club. The good news for the hosts is that Brazil midfielder Pedro Augusto Borges da Costa returns from suspension.
Highlighted Player (Jhon Murillo):
Jhon Murillo is a Venezuela international who was born in El Nula on November 21, 1995. After spending his youth career at San Camilo and Alto Apure, Murillo started playing for Zamora at the senior level.
The Venezuelan forward scored 19 goals in 59 appearances for el Blanquinegro before joining the famous Portuguese club Benfica. However, Murillo did not see any game action at Benfica in Primeira Liga as he was immediately sent on loan to Tondela. After ending his loan spell with the Auriverdes, Jhon Murillo signed a loan deal with Turkish club Kasimpasa in the 2017/2018 season.
In 2018 he returned to Tondela, signing a permanent contract with the Portuguese outfit. Speaking of his international career, the Tondela winger made his Venezuela debut on February 11, 2015, in a friendly against Honduras, scoring the winner on his debut. His primary position is left winger, but he is capable of producing excellent performances as a centre-forward as well.
Highlighted Team (Benfica):
Member of the ‘Big Three’ clubs in Portugal alongside FC Porto and CP Sporting, Sport Lisboa e Benfica are the football club that has never been relegated from the Primeira Liga. The club is nicknamed Aguias because of the Eagle symbol atop the club’s crest. Benfica play their home games at the Estadio da Luz which replaced the original one in 2003 and which boasts the capacity of more than 64,000. Arguably the most successful club in Portugal, Benfica have won a record of 35 Primeira Liga titles and also a record 25 Taca de Liga and 7 Taca da Liga trophies.
Two-time European Cup winners, Benfica are the club known for their diligent work with youth players, many of which went on to make great careers abroad. The most prominent players to wear a Benfica shirt are legendary Eusebio, Manuel Bento, Jorge Tavares and most recently Javier Saviola, Nuno Gomes, David Luiz and Angel Di Maria.