Our prediction for this Champions League match:
Benfica will be aiming to seal their spot in the Champions League quarter-finals when they take on Club Brugge at their Estadio da Luz on Tuesday evening. The Eagles are widely expected to defend their two-goal lead in the return leg, but boss Jens Wissing must warn his men against complacency. A man to watch in the home team will be Goncalo Ramos, who scored a brace in a 2-0 win over Famalicao at the weekend, while all Julian Draxler, Goncalo Guedes, and Mihailo Ristic miss out with injuries.
The Belgian champions, on the other hand, experienced all sorts of problems at the back in a 3-0 loss to Oostende at the weekend, and seeing that Benfica are a real force to be reckoned with at home, we believe that there is a big value in betting on the Primeira Liga leaders. As for the away team, both Jack Hendry and Andreas Skov Olsen are sidelined with injuries.
Highlighted Player (Alex Grimaldo):
Alex Grimaldo is a Spanish footballer who plays for Portuguese side Benfica as a left back. Born in Valencia on September 20, 1995, Grimaldo started his youth career at his hometown club FC Valencia, but in 2008 Barcelona scouts brought him to Camp Nou.
The 171-cm-tall footballer scored six goals in 92 appearances for Barca B before joining Primeira Liga club Benfica in the winter of 2015. Alex Grimaldo made his debut with the Eagles on January 26, 2016 in a 6-1 win at Moreirense in the Taca da Liga. Speaking of his Primeira Liga debut, Grimaldo played his first league game for Benfica on February 29, 2016 in a 2-0 win over Uniao Leiria.
The Benfica defender has two caps for Spain U21 team, but he has yet to make his debut with the senior team. His main position is left-back, but he is capable of producing fine performances as a left winger as well.
Highlighted Team (Club Brugge):
Founded in 1891, Belgium giants Club Brugge are one of the most decorated football clubs in the country. Also known as Blauw-Zwart due to their Blue and Black colours, Club Brugge have been crown champions of Belgium on 14 occasions which is second to Anderlecht.
Through their long-lasting history Club Brugge have enjoyed fair amount of European success.to this day in football history Club Brugge holds the European record number of consecutive participation in the UEFA Europa league – 20. The Blauw-Zwart have reached two European finals and two semi-finals so far. What is more, Club Brugge are the only Belgian side ever to play in the final of the European Cup so far, losing to Liverpool in the 1978 season.
Two years prior, Club Brugge lost the 1976 UEFA Cup Final to the same rivals. Club Brugge play their home games at the Jan Breydel Stadium, which is also home to city rivals Cercle Brugge. The two sides form a formidable rivalry contested in the Bruges Derby.