Our prediction for this Portugal Primeira Liga match:
Benfica will look to build on back-to-back wins over Moreirense and Arouca when they take on Gil Vicente at Estadio Cidade de Barcelos on Saturday evening. The Eagles have been producing fine displays in all competitions at the start of the season, but keep in mind that they will be with one eye on the Champions League qualifier against PSV. Summer signing Roman Yaremchuk should keep his place up front after finding the net in the 2-0 win over Arouca, while Diogo Goncalves returns from suspension.
Gil Vicente, on the other hand, aim to keep their 100% record intact, but Benfica are likely to pose a much bigger threat for the hosts than their previous rivals. All Abbas, Afonso, and Leautey are likely to miss the game with injuries, but seeing that Benfica boss Jorge Jesus could opt to rest several first-team regulars for the Champions League qualifier, we are tempted to put our money on draw.
Highlighted Player (Lourency):
Lourency is a product of Brazilian football team Lideral Futebol Club who plays for Gil Vicente. Born on January 2, 1996, in Imperatriz, Brazil, Lourency started his senior career at Chapecoense. After spending two seasons on loan at Vila Nova and Brasil de Pelotas, he joined Primeira Liga side, Gil Vicente.
Lourency scored on his debut in the Portuguese top flight on August 20, 2019, in a 2-1 win over Porto. His most significant success came in 2016 when he won the Copa Sudamericana trophy with Chapecoense, beating Atletico Nacional in the title game. Lourency’s primary position is right winger, but he is used as both left winger and second striker.
Despite being part of the team that won the Copa Sudamericana title, the Gil Vicente footballer has yet to earn a call-up for the Brazil national team. His preferred foot is right, and he has a contract with Gil Vicente until June 30, 2020.
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.