Benfica vs Chivas Guadalajara Predictions

For Benfica, this will be their first match at the International Champions Cup 2019, though Guadalajara have already tested the waters by facing Italian outfit Fiorentina. On that occasion, they lost by two goals to one and will thus be looking to bounce back. Benfica will be looking to continue building momentum ahead of the new campaign after a friendly win back in Portugal.

Benfica may have taken advantage of facing lowly opposition last time out, beating Academica by eight goals to nil, who ply their trade in Portugal’s second division, though they floundered in their only real test. Prior to their big victory, Benfica lost against Belgian side Anderlecht. It’s not wise to read too much into friendlies, though their efforts on that occasion weren’t exactly impressive, especially in the defensive third.

Fortunately for the Portuguese side, they’re up against a Guadalajara side that has struggled massively at the back in recent friendlies. Not only did the Mexicans concede twice against Fiorentina a few days ago, but they shipped twice against Boca shortly before that, while River Plate scored five goals against what ultimately looks like a very shaky Guadalajara rear-guard at the end of June.

Given that the visitors have spent the last few weeks shipping plenty of goals, it’s not difficult to see why Benfica are favourites ahead of this match, though it must be said that they look very short. For all they should have the quality to come out on top, their recent efforts against Anderlecht don’t exactly suggest that they’ll thrive in America.

Guadalajara come into this match off the back of three straight friendly defeats, though they only lost out by a single goal against Fiorentina, while they weren’t exactly outplayed for the entirety of the contest. Had they notched from the spot, then the Mexicans would’ve taken a share of the spoils. Add in the fact that Benfica have never won (in 90 minutes) at this tournament, despite playing seven matches since 2015, and it’s not difficult to feel that supporting the visitors offers punters a smidgen of value.

Benfica have lost five of their seven games at the International Champions Cup, while they’ve also failed to beat Mexican opposition before, drawing 0-0 with América back in 2015.

All things considered, the Mexicans look to have a slightly better chance of getting competitive than the current prices suggest, so ‘Guadalajara +1 Asian Handicap’ is a viable option.