Our prediction for this Portugal Primeira Liga match:
Benfica and Gil Vicente go head to head at Estadio da Luz in a David-vs-Goliath clash. Benfica are enjoying a season to remember, with the team leading the chase for the title, eight points clear of second-place Porto, and they must be high on spirits following a 5-1 crushing of Estoril. Roger Schmidt is unlikely to make changes to the starting XI for the last game before the World Cup break, but both Julian Draxler and Felipe Morato continue to miss out with injuries.
Os Galos, on the other hand, are on a five-game losing run in Primeira Liga, and given their shaky defence, the visitors are unlikely to claim a major scalp on Matchday 13. In their last meeting in Lisbon Gil Vicente shocked Benfica, meaning that the league leaders are hungry for revenge. There are no fresh injury worries in the away team.
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 (Gil Vicente):
Founded in 1924, Gil Vicente are a Portuguese football club that compete in Primeira Liga. The Galos (Roosters) are well known for their red kit, but they wear white shirts and blue shorts when playing on the travels.
Gil Vicente have yet to win a domestic trophy, but they did well to make it to the Taca da Liga final in the 2011/2012 season. The Galos suffered a 2-1 loss to Benfica in the title game at Estadio Cidade de Coimbra. The likes of Rodrigo and Saviola scored for Benfica, with Ze Luis finding the net for Gil Vicente.
The Galos welcome their rivals at Estadio Cidade de Barcelos, the stadium which can hold up to 12,504 people. The venue was opened on May 30, 2014 and it can hold up to 12,504 people. It has to be noted that the team first secured promotion to the Portuguese elite division in 1990.