Our prediction for this match:
Buoyed by back-to-back wins over Covilha and Farense, Benfica will be aiming to give fans yet another reason for celebration when they take on Belenenses in their third warm-up game. The Eagles have been scoring goals for fun in pre-season, and, as a result, the bookies see them as hot favourites to win Tuesday’s friendly. Even though boss Jorge Jesus is likely to test as many players as possible, home win should be considered as the experienced tactician has a number of high-profile footballers to choose from.
O Belem, on the other hand, aim to kick off their pre-season in style, but they will have a big fish to fry in Tuesday’s clash. Belenenses were beaten by Benfica in each of the previous five meetings between the two teams in all competitions, which is yet another reason why home win should be considered.
Highlighted Player (Jan Vertonghen):
After spending four years at Ajax, in 2006 Jan Vertonghen signed a loan deal with RKC Waalwijk. The left-footed defender spent one season at Mandemakers Stadion and he returned to Ajax for the 2007/2008 season. The highly rated footballer, who is capable of playing as both centre back and left back, signed a deal with Tottenham Hotspur on 8 July, 2012 and he has been playing for the Premier League outfit ever since.
The Belgian defender scored four goals for the Spurs in the 2012/2013 Premier League season and he made 34 league appearances for the White Hart Lane outfit back then. In the 2015/2016 season Jan Vertonghen and his teammates were producing brilliant displays with Tottenham, but the Spurs eventually finished the campaign in third place in the standings.
Speaking of his international career, Vertonghen made it to both World Cup (2014) and Euro (2016) quarter-finals with the Belgian national team. Jan was born on 24 April, 1987 and his shirt number is 5.
Highlighted Team (Belenenses):
Founded on September 23, 1919, Belenenses are a Portuguese club that host their rivals at Estado do Restelo. The stadium can hold up to 19,856 spectators and it was built in 1956. O Belem play home games in blue shirts and white shorts and white is the dominant colour of their away kit.
By beating the likes of IFK Goteborg and Rheindorf Altach Belenenses booked their place in the Europa League group stages in the 2015/2016 season. Despite defeating Swiss side Basel in their group, the Portuguese club eventually finished the process in the last position in the standings.
The Estado do Restelo outfit did well to win the Primeira Liga trophy in the 1945/1946 season, with the team finishing the season only one point clear of second-placed Benfica. Speaking of the Portuguese Cup, Belenenses clinched their third Taca de Portugal trophy in the 1988/1989 season. Vitor Godinho is the player with most appearances for the club (272).