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Come Saturday, football lovers will turn their gaze to Estádio Cidade de Barcelos, where Gil Vicente and Portuguese champions Benfica lock horns in an enticing Primeira Liga fixture. As the champions, fresh off a shaky start, look to consolidate, Gil Vicente will be eager to capitalise on any stumble, considering their impressive past performances in Lisbon. Set against the backdrop of recent encounters and a looming Champions League group stage, this fixture promises more than just the usual 90 minutes of football.

Analysis:

Gil Vicente: Starting the season with a thunderous 5-0 demolition of Portimonense, Gil Vicente displayed their intent. However, a 2-1 loss to Vitoria Guimaraes last week, despite taking the lead, indicates possible chinks in their armour. Historically, facing Benfica has not been kind for the hosts at their home turf, with their last win dating back to 2001. The spotlight will undoubtedly fall upon the absence of Ali Alipour and Stanislav Kritsyuk due to injuries. Yet, the emergence of the Brazilian goalkeeper, Andrew, has been a silver lining, turning heads across Europe.

Benfica: Champions Benfica are a paradox this season. The Super Cup victory over Porto painted them as the team to beat, but a surprising 3-2 defeat to Boavista put that claim under the scanner. Last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Estrela Amadora was a boost, albeit achieved in an unconvincing manner. Casper Tengstedt, netting the crucial first goal after coming off the bench, could be their new beacon of hope. Their track record against Gil Vicente is admirable, boasting of 35 wins in 47 outings since 1990 and maintaining a clean sheet in their last five away games at Barcelos. However, concerns over David Jurasek’s ankle injury and squad changes, with potential exits before the transfer window closes, might play on Coach Roger Schmidt’s mind.

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Prediction:

Weighing recent form against historical records, the scales slightly tip in Benfica’s favour. Their championship pedigree, combined with a desire to iron out their early season wrinkles, will likely prove a challenge for Gil Vicente. Goal.mu predicts: Gil Vicente 1-2 Benfica. Yet, in the unpredictable world of football, the home side’s spirited performance might just conjure a surprise.

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