Primeira Liga champions SL Benfica is set to face Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain in an International Champions Cup friendly match at the BMO Field in Toronto, Canada on Saturday, July 18. This champion versus champion matchup is both club's opening game and is one of the most anticipated meetings in this year's ICC tournament.
Os Encarnados is a last-minute replacement for Portuguese Club FC Porto as the latter had conflicting schedules with regards to the summer's friendlies, as per World Soccer Talk.
Rui Vitória's squad will ride on the momentum of their 4-1 victory over C.S. Marítimo in the last game of their Primeira Liga conquest in May. Brazilian forward Lima scored two of the four goals for Benfica that game and will try to bring his offense against PSG.
After the match with Les Parisiens, Benfica will face Fiorentina (July 24), the New York Red Bulls (July 26), and Club América (July 28).
Meanwhile, Laurent Blanc's boys will be bannered by forwards Zlatan Ibrahimović of Sweden and Edinson Cavani of Uruguay, while their rearguard will be spearheaded by the Brazilian duo of team captain Thiago Silva and David Luiz, according to the International Champions Cup official website.
PSG's remaining matches are against Fiorentina (July 21), Chelsea (July 25), and Manchester United (July 29).
The predicted result is a 2-1 win by Les Rouge-et-Bleu over As Águias. The Parisians are one of the hottest football teams in the world today and they are set to overcome the Primeira Liga champs in this match.
SL Benfica starting lineup (4-1-2-2-1 formation): Lopes; Pereira, Luisão, López, Eliseu; Almeida; Samaris, Talisca; Salvio, Jonas; Lima
Paris Saint-Germain starting lineup (4-1-2-2-1 formation): Douchez; Luiz, Silva, Marquinhos, van der Wiel; Verratti; Rabiot, Matuidi; Pastore, Cavani; Ibrahimović