Our prediction for this Portugal League Cup match:
Varzim
Match Time & Date:
10/01/2023
21:45
Prediction: 0-2
Benfica
Following a hard-fought 1-0 win over Portimonense, Benfica will look to give fans yet another reason for celebration when they take on Varzim in the Taca de Portugal last 16. The Eagles are seen as hot favourites to win Tuesday’s clash, but they will have to prove their worth on the field. The good news for Roger Schmidt is that Rafa Silva is back from suspension. All Neves, Neres, and Musa are pushing for a start.
Varzim, on the other hand, booked their place in the Portuguese Cup last 16 by beating Sao Joao Ver thanks to Ivan Quivira’s goal, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry against the Primeira Liga leaders. Benfica are more of a team than Varzim, and regardless of which players will be deployed in the starting XI, anything but a routine away win would be a major surprise.
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 (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.
Brighton
Southampton
Barcelona
Las Palmas 
Crystal Palace
Newcastle 
Borussia Dortmund 
Bayern Munich 
West Ham
Arsenal
Chelsea 
Aston Villa 
