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UEFA Champions League Preview - Benfica VS FC Barcelona
UEFA Champions League - Benfica VS FC Barcelona
Match Time:06-03-2025 04:00 Thursday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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SL Benfica
While Florentino Luis is back from suspension, he will sit out of this fixture because of a thigh injury. He has joined Alexander Bah, Manu Silva, Tiago Gouveia, Renato Sanches and former Real Madrid star Angel Di Maria on the sidelines.
With a few of the stars out injured, Benfica could shift to a back four for this fixture. They could line up in a 4-3-3, where Anatoliy Trubin will be in goal. Tomas Araujo and Alvaro Carreras will feature as the full-backs, while Nicolas Otamendi will partner with Antonio Silva in central defence.
In the centre of the park, Orkun Kokcu will start alongside Fredrik Aursnes and Leandro Barreiro. The trio will look to ensure Barcelona midfielder do not end up dominating the proceedings. Kerem Akturkoglu and Bruma will feature on the flanks, providing much-needed width to their attacks. Meanwhile, Vangelis Pavlidis will spearhead the Benfica attack against Barcelona.
FC Barcelona
While Gavi did not start in Barcelona’s last outing because of illness, he should be back in the XI against SL Benfica. Meanwhile, Andreas Christensen has suffered a new calf injury, and he has once again joined Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal on the sidelines.
Apart from the three, Flick has all his stars available for this fixture. He will stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Wojciech Szczesny will continue in goal. Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde should continue as their full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Ronald Araujo should partner with Pau Cubarsi.
The back four will be aiming for a clean sheet away from home in the first leg, and they will receive significant support from Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, who will form the double pivot in midfield.
Gavi will take up the number ten role, while the in-form duo of Lamine Yamal and Raphinha will feature on the flanks. Finally, star striker Robert Lewandowski will continue to lead the line for Barcelona when they take on SL Benfica on Wednesday.
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Trubin; Araujo, Otamendi, Silva, Carreras; Kokcu, Barreiro, Aursnes; Akturkoglu, Pavlidis, Bruma
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Pedri, De Jong; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski
Benfica vs Barcelona Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
Barcelona have a good historical record against Benfica in the UEFA Champions League and have won four out of the 10 matches between the two teams, as opposed to Benfica's two victories.
Benfica have played 10 matches against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League - the second-highest number of games they have played against a single opponent in the history of the competition.
After winning two of their first three matches at home against opponents from Spain in major European competitions, Benfica have won only two of their last 12 such games.
Barcelona have lost only one of their last 10 matches away from home against opponents from Portugal in European competitions, with their only such defeat coming against Benfica in 2021.
Prediction: Benfica 1-3 Barcelona
Another nine-goal classic is surely off the cards, but do not expect a lack of goalmouth action between a ruthless Barcelona side and a Benfica crop boasting one of the tournament's most lethal attackers in Pavlidis. What should be an entertaining watch for the neutrals should be an even better watch for fans of Barcelona, as Flick's fearsome attackers have our vote to overwhelm their Portuguese hosts and earn a healthy first-leg lead.
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