On Tuesday night, the iconic Benfica vs Barcelona clash will unfold at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, as the two teams battle for crucial points in their quest to progress in the UEFA Champions League.
Benfica are currently in a tight spot, sitting in 15th place in the standings with 10 points from 6 matches. Their ambitions are clear: secure a top-eight finish and qualify directly for the knockout stages. Bruno Lage’s side enters this match with a strong run of form, boasting four consecutive wins, including a dominant 4-0 victory over Famalicão in the Primeira Liga.
On the other hand, Barcelona, led by Hansi Flick, are in prime form in Europe, having won five and lost one of their group-stage matches to sit comfortably in second place with 15 points. While they are struggling in La Liga, sitting in third and a disappointing seven points behind Real Madrid, their Champions League campaign has been nothing short of impressive.
Match Preview: Benfica vs Barcelona
Benfica come into this game with an injury list that includes key players Tiago Gouveia and Renato Sanches, while Angel Di Maria is a major doubt due to a muscular issue. Despite these setbacks, Kerem Akturkoglu (10 goals, 7 assists) and Vangelis Pavlidis will be crucial in leading the attack for the Portuguese side.
For Barcelona, injuries have hit them hard with Dani Olmo sidelined after a muscle problem against Getafe. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marc Bernal, and Inigo Martinez will also miss the trip to Portugal. However, the Catalans still boast a talented squad with Gavi, Pedri, and Lewandowski ready to step up.
Team News:
- Benfica: Gouveia and Sanches miss out, Di Maria is a doubt, but Akturkoglu and Pavlidis will lead the charge.
- Barcelona: Olmo’s injury is a blow, and key players like Ter Stegen and Martinez are sidelined, but Lewandowski remains the focal point of attack.
Predicted Lineups:
Benfica (4-3-3):
Trubin; Bah, Araujo, Otamendi, Fernandez; Aursnes, Florentino, Kokcu; Amdouni, Pavlidis, Akturkoglu.
Barcelona (4-3-3):
Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
Prediction: Benfica 1-1 Barcelona
This matchup is tough to call. Barcelona’s dominance in Europe is undeniable, but Benfica’s resilience, especially at home, makes them a formidable opponent. With both teams in solid form, we predict a hard-fought draw, with the points shared between the two giants.
Key Stats:
- Benfica: 4 wins in the last 5 games, including a 4-0 victory over Famalicão.
- Barcelona: Only 1 loss in 6 UCL matches this season.
