Feyenoord vs Benfica

De Kuip plays host to an exciting summer friendly between Feyenoord and Benfica.

Feyenoord couldn’t have hoped for a better start to their pre-season preparations as they overcame Club Brugge and Zwolle, both by a two-goal margin. However, the wheels have fallen off since, with Arne Slot’s side going winless in their last three summer friendlies (D2, L1) despite finding the net in the most recent two. An uninspiring run of form won’t boost the Dutch champions’ bid to avenge a two-match losing H2H streak against Benfica. Alarmingly for ‘De Stadionclub,’ they conceded 4+ goals in both defeats! But considering they’re unbeaten in their last four outings at De Kuip (W2, D2), the hosts should feel positive about this upcoming challenge.

Newly-crowned Primeira Liga champions Benfica know a thing or two about positive vibes. Their mesmerizing pre-season start saw them win their first four summer friendlies by multi-goal margins before newly-promoted Premier League side Burnley toppled them 2-0 last time out. Before being held by Burnley, Roger Schmidt’s high-flyers had found the net in 11 consecutive games (W9, D2) since an underwhelming 1-0 loss to domestic minnows Chaves in mid-April. Nine of those 11 matches saw Benfica score at least two goals, highlighting their free-flowing attack as the team’s best feature. Moreover, the visitors are unbeaten on their last five road trips (W3, D2), netting an intimidating average of three goals per match!