Benfica 3/4 to beat Fiorentina in Thursday’s International Champions Cup contest

Competition: International Champions Cup

Market: Benfica win

Odds: 3/4 @ Bet 365

Looking to gain some much-needed minutes before getting their Primeira title defence underway next month, Benfica will meet Fiorentina in New Jersey in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Starting Fiorentina, suffering a 3-0 hammering when they opened their International Champions Cup campaign against Arsenal in North Carolina last weekend, the Purples are still showings signs of a hangover from a woeful campaign last season. Managing to record just eight victories in their 38 Serie A matches, Vincenzo Montella’s men also held just a three-point buffer from suffering an embarrassing relegation. With many around Florence concerned about Fiorentina’s future next season, the Purples have picked up just one victory since the start of February and Thursday could prove to be another tough test for a Viola side low on confidence.

As for Benfica, while the mood in Fiorentina’s camp might be on a continued low, Águias once again impressed in their 3-0 win over Guadalajara and Bruno Lage’s side have their sights set on reclaiming their Primeira crown next season. While 19-year-old starlet João Félix may have secured a move to Atletico Madrid in a £117million move, they have won six of their last seven matches across all competitions and one man to watch in midweek will be the in-form Haris Seferovic. Once again finding the net against Guadalajara last weekend, the Swiss international bagged 17 goals last season and secured Benfica’s Golden Boot. Given the recent gulf in class between the two sides, we’re backing the Portuguese giants to come away with the victory in New Jersey on Thursday.

Bet: Benfica 3/4 to beat Fiorentina in Thursday’s International Champions Cup contest @ Bet 365