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UEFA Champions League - FC Barcelona VS Benfica Prediction
UEFA Champions League - FC Barcelona VS Benfica
Match Time:12-03-2025 01:45 Wednesday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Barcelona
Andreas Christensen, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, and Marc Bernal remain on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Pau Cubarsi is suspended following the red card in the first leg.
Robert Lewandowski was left out of the squad for their league outing against Osasuna, which was later suspended, but he is still expected to be available for this one. Gavi has recovered from illness and could start on the bench in this fixture.
Hansi Flick will stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Wojciech Szczesny will continue in goal. The back four will be made up of Jules Kounde, Inigo Martínez, Ronald Araujo and Alejandro Balde.
As for the midfield unit, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong should form the double pivot in the middle of the park. They will look to control the tempo of the game. Dani Olmo should take up the number ten role, while Lamine Yamal and Raphinha will continue on the flanks. Robert Lewandowski should lead the line for Barcelona against SL Benfica.
SL Benfica
The visitors remain without the services of Angel Di Maria, Alexander Bah, Manu Silva, and Tiago Gouveia. Tomas Araujo’s availability is in doubt, while Alvaro Carreras is suspended following a milestone yellow in the first leg.
Benfica will certainly make a few changes to the XI that started in their last outing, as a few of their stars were rested with an eye on this big UEFA Champions League fixture. They will stick to the 4-3-3 formation, where Anatoliy Trubin will be in goal. Leandro Santos and Samuel Dahl could be the full-backs, while Antonio Silva will partner with Nicolas Otamendi at the heart of the defence.
The midfield trifecta will be made up of Orkun Kokcu, Fredrik Aursnes and Leandro Barreiro. They will look to ensure Barcelona do not end up dominating the ball too deep in their half. Kerem Akturkoglu and Andreas Schjelderup will feature on the flanks, providing width to their attacks. Vangelis Pavlidis should start up top for the away team.
Barcelona possible starting lineup:
Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha, Lewandowski
Benfica possible starting lineup:
Trubin; Santos, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Aursnes, Barreiro, Kokcu; Akturkoglu, Schjelderup, Pavlidis
Barcelona vs Benfica Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
Barcelona have a good historical record against Benfica in the UEFA Champions League and have won five out of the 11 matches played between the two teams, as opposed to Benfica's two victories.
Barcelona have lost only one of their last 10 matches against Benfica in major European competitions and have remained unbeaten in their last four such games at home against the Portuguese side.
Barcelona have already defeated Benfica twice in the UEFA Champions League so far this season, with both their victories coming away from home.
Benfica are winless in their last four matches away from home against Barcelona in European competitions and have failed to find the back of the net in their last three such games.
Benfica have been eliminated in five of their last six knockout games in the UEFA Champions League when they have lost the first leg.
Prediction: Barcelona 3-1 Benfica (Barcelona to win 4-1 on aggregate)
Barcelona's high defensive line could offer opportunities for Benfica's attack to exploit, but while we think that the visitors will get on the scoresheet, we believe the Blaugrana will showcase their firepower to seal a relatively comfortable victory and a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
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