Barcelona vs Benfica Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds

Hansi Flick’s men hold a 1-0 advantage heading into the second leg

Barcelona are ready to host Benfica in the UEFA Champions League 2024-25 round of 16 second leg. This is going to be an interesting contest between the two teams. Blaugrana did not go for a very aggressive approach and still managed to bring out a one-goal advantage for themselves from leg 1.

Hansi Flick’s Barcelona also defended well. Benfica had a very good attacking rate but were still not able to score any goals here. Barcelona have done well in the LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League this season. This time they will be at home which will be a big advantage for them.

Benfica attacked well but did not convert any of their shots into a goal. Possession-wise, both sides handled the ball for an equal amount of time. The Liga Portugal side will be under pressure as they are down by a goal. Benfica are looking to give their all but the UEFA Champions League contest against Barcelona is not going to be an easy one.

🔴⚪#SLBCDN • #LigaPortugalBetclic pic.twitter.com/MYYj9hPRPh

— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) March 8, 2025

Kick-off:

• Location: Barcelona, Spain
• Stadium: Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium
• Date: Tuesday, March 11
• Kick-off Time: 23:15 IST/ 17:45 GMT/ 12:45 ET/ 09:45 PT
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In use

Form:

Barcelona: W-W-D-W-W

Benfica: D-W-W-L-W

Players to Watch

Raphinha (Barcelona)

The Brazilian forward has an equal amount of goals to Robert Lewandowski in the Champions League this season. Raphinha has scored nine goals in nine matches in the UCL this season. He is going to be a menace for Benfica’s defenders as he knows how to find spaces and score goals.

Vangelis Pavlidis (Benfica)

Vangelis Pavlidis has scored seven goals in 11 UCL matches for Benfica this season and is the top goal-getter for them in the European competition. The Greece forward will have to step up and help his side in the attacking front to score a goal or two. Benfica and Pavlidis will be under pressure as the hosts are leading by a goal.

🎥 Pavlidis ⚽️#SLBCDN • #LigaPortugalBetclic • #Emirates pic.twitter.com/oRbqbpfzAS

— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) March 8, 2025

Match Facts

• The Blaugrana have only lost one of their last 10 games against Benfica in European competition.
• Hansi Flick’s men have already defeated Benfica twice this season in the UCL.
• Benfica have been eliminated on five of the previous six occasions when listing the first leg of a UCL knockout stage tie.

Barcelona vs Benfica: Betting Tips and Odds

• Barcelona to win @37/100 Bet Goodwin
• Goals under 3.5 @51/50 Bet Goodwin
• Raphinha to score @9/2 bet365

Injury and Team News

Pau Cubarsi received a red card in the previous UCL fixture and will not be a part of Barcelona’s squad. Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marc Bernal and Andreas Christensen are injured.

Benfica will be without the services of Angel Di Maria, Alexander Bah, Manu Silva and Tiago Gouveia as they have injuries.

Head-to-Head

Total matches: 11

Barcelona won: 5

Benfica won: 2

Draws: 4

Predicted Lineups

Barcelona predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Szczesny (GK); Kounde, Cubarsi, Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski

Benfica predicted lineup (4-3-3)

Trubin (GK); Tomas Araujo, Silva, Otamendi, Carreras; Barreiro, Aursnes, Kokcu; Akturkoglu, Pavlidis, Schjelderup

Match Prediction

Benfica are down by a goal coming in for the second leg. Barcelona might go on to win the second leg as well to proceed to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals.

Prediction: Barcelona 2-1 Benfica

Telecast Details

India – Sony LIV, Sony Sports Network

UK – TNT Sports

US – fubo TV, CBS Sports Network

Nigeria – SuperSport MáXimo 3, DStv Now

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