Gil Vicente vs Benfica Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 Portuguese Primeira Liga
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THE FACTS
When is Gil Vicente vs Benfica on and what time does it start? Gil Vicente vs Benfica will take place on Saturday 24th August, 2023 – 20:30 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Gil Vicente vs Benfica? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Gil Vicente vs Benfica on in the UK? Some Portuguese Primeira Liga matches are televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports in the UK so it is worth checking their schedules
Where can I Gil Vicente vs Benfica in the UK? If televised on either TNT Sports or Viaplay Sports, the match can be streamed on their respective streaming platforms
THE LOWDOWN
GIL VICENTE
In the 2021/22 season, after a poor start to the campaign, Gil Vicente went on an excellent run and finished sixth, qualifying for the UEFA Europa Conference League. They were eliminated early and started slowly again last season before seeming like they would repeat the trick but they very much did not and ended up languishing in the bottom-half of the table.
Over the summer, the Roosters have pinched Vitor Campelos from Chaves, after he gained promotion with them and also helped them survive quite comfortably in the Primeira Liga last season. Gil Vicente will be aiming to reclaim their spot in the top six and they have begun the 2023/24 campaign in interesting style. They thrashed Portimonense by five goals to nil but followed that up with a 2-1 loss against Vitoria in a game in which they led with half an hour to go.
BENFICA
Roger Schmidt’s Benfica were exceptional across all competitions last season up until about April when they had a rocky patch, which they eventually overcame to win the Primeira Liga title, and also got knocked out of the UEFA Champions League at the quarter-final stages against Internazionale. They have had another busy summer replacing a star man with Goncalo Ramos departing for PSG but, once again, on paper, they look very strong.
However, the Lisbon club began the defence of their title with a shock 3-2 defeat away to Boavista on the opening day of the campaign. They had led 1-0 and then 2-1 going into second-half stoppage-time but went on to lose. They followed that up with a comfortable but still frustrating 2-0 win at home to newly-promoted Estrela da Amadora in their most recent outing, last weekend.
THE TEAM NEWS
GIL VICENTE
Gil Vicente, especially under Vitor Campelos, play a fluent 4-3-3 and with no fresh injuries or suspensions, will likely be unchanged for this weekend’s encounter.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Andrew; Ze Carlos, Gabriel Pereira, Ruben Fernandes, Buta; Pedro Tiba, Gbane, Fujimoto; Dominguez, Baturina, Marlon
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
BENFICA
Benfica are trying to find their best shape and system with Arthur Cabral and Angel Di Maria, albeit the latter performing well, yet to really click when going forward. That will simply, surely, just be a matter of time.
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Samuel Soares; Bah, Antonio Silva, Otamendi, Ristic; Joao Neves, Kokcu, Joao Mario; Di Maria, Arthur Cabral, Rafa Silva
UNAVAILABLE: Jurasek (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
Gil Vicente will sense something is amiss with this Benfica side. They will be frustrated to have lost their previous outing but they remain one of the stronger sides from the middle of the pack in the Primeira Liga this season and, under Campelos, will surely have the proactivity to get at a Benfica side just easing their way into the campaign. Benfica, as mentioned, have lost and them stumbled past newly-promoted opposition so going away to a dangerous Gil Vicente side will be a concern. The visitors remain favourites for what could well be an entertaining encounter.
TIP: OVER 2.5 GOALS
