Benficavs.Fulham

The London club will start their 2024-25 Premier League season against Manchester United on August 16, while Benfica's new domestic campaign will begin on August 11 away to Famalicao.

Match preview

Benfica have had a busy summer in terms of friendlies, playing five times in total, posting three wins and two draws from their pre-season campaign thus far.

The Portuguese giants were last in action on July 28, recording a 5-0 victory over Feyenoord, and they will now play their final friendly of the summer against Fulham before starting their 2024-25 Primeira Liga campaign on August 11 against Famalicao.

Roger Schmidt's side finished second in Portugal's top flight last season, 10 points behind the champions Sporting Lisbon, and they will be expecting to challenge for the title in the coming campaign.

Benfica have made six signings so far this summer, with Vangelis Pavlidis proving to be their standout acquisition, making the move from AZ Alkmaar.

Joao Neves is set to be the team's biggest sale, meanwhile, with the Portugal international closing in on a switch to French champions Paris Saint-Germain.

Fulham, meanwhile, have played two behind-closed-doors friendlies this summer, beating Queens Park Rangers 4-0 and Watford 6-1, but this will be their first official pre-season match.

Silva's side will also tackle Sevilla during their time in Portugal, before facing Hoffenheim on August 10, with that match set to bring their preparations for the new campaign to a close.

Fulham will take on Man United in their 2024-25 Premier League opener on August 16, while their first home game of the season will be against Leicester City on August 24.

The capital outfit have made one signing so far this summer, securing a return for Ryan Sessegnon following his release from Tottenham Hotspur, but Emile Smith Rowe is on the verge of joining the club from Arsenal.

Two vital players have left Craven Cottage, though, with Joao Palhinha making a big-money switch to Bayern Munich, while Tosin Adarabioyo has joined Chelsea on a free transfer after the expiration of his contract.

Benfica friendly form:

Fulham friendly form:

Team News

Pavlidis scored a brace against Feyenoord last time out, and the summer arrival is again expected to lead the line for Benfica in this match.

Head coach Schmidt will again make a number of changes throughout the match, but there could be a start for Antonio Silva, with the in-demand centre-back featuring off the bench last time out.

As mentioned, Neves is on the verge of joining PSG, so the midfielder will not be involved, but David Neres should feature in the starting side.

As for Fulham, Sessegnon could be involved after confirmation of his arrival, with the 24-year-old likely to be used off the bench against Benfica.

Rodrigo Muniz is likely to operate in the final third of the field, while Tom Cairney and Harrison Reed should also be in the side.

There has been some speculation surrounding the future of Andreas Pereira, with Chelsea said to be keen on the Brazilian, but the playmaker is expected to stay at the club, and he is set to start on Friday.

Benfica possible starting lineup:

Trubin; Bah, T Araujo, A Silva, Beste; Florentino, Barreiro; Mario, Prestianni, Neres; Pavlidis

Fulham possible starting lineup:

Leno; Mbabu, Diop, Bassey, Castagne; Reed, Cairney, Pereira; Iwobi, Muniz, Stansfield

We say: Benfica 1-1 Fulham

Benfica were excellent against Feyenoord last time out and will be eyeing another positive result on Friday, but Fulham have brought a strong squad in Portugal, and we are expecting a low-scoring draw here.

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