Benfica vs Barcelona Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds

Blaugrana have only lost one of their last 10 away games against Portuguese sides in European competition.

Benfica are all set to host Barcelona in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League 2024-25 round of 16. The hosts had to go through the playoffs stage to seal a spot in the UCL knockout stage. Barcelona on the other hand finished in second place which gave them a direct ticket for the round of 16.

Benfica ended their UCL’s league phase in the 16th place. They won half of their games after playing eight matches. They battled with Ligue 1 side AS Monaco in the playoffs phase and ended up as the better team, which allowed them to enter the round of 16. Benfica will be at their home but they will be under pressure as an in-form Barcelona is a big challenge.

Barcelona will be playing away from home in the first leg. But because of their current form, Blaugrana will be full of confidence to face the Liga Portugal side Benfica. Hansi Flick’s men have already defeated them previously this season and that too in the UCL. Barca will be looking to take an advantage here and keep things easier for the second leg, which will be played in Spain.

Kick-off:

• Location: Lisbon, Portugal
• Stadium: Estadio da Luz
• Date: Thursday, March 6
• Kick-off: 01:30 IST / Wednesday, March 5: 20:00 GMT/ 15:00 ET/ 12:00 PT
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In use

Form:

Benfica: W-W-D-W-W

Barcelona: W-W-W-D-W

Players to Watch

Vangelis Pavlidis (Benfica)

The hosts will be looking to play some attacking football and for that, Vangelis Pavlidis is going to play a major role up front. The Greece forward is the top marksman for Benfica in the UEFA Champions League this season. Due to the absence of Angel Di Maria, Pavlidis will be under pressure and this could be the right time for him to perform on this big stage.

Vangelis Pavlidis is the first Benfica player in the #UCL era to score seven goals in a single edition of the Champions League. ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/wnIFyJbM9J

— Squawka (@Squawka) February 18, 2025

Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)

The Poland national football team forward is in good form and has scored nine goals in eight UCL matches this season. Robert Lewandowski has scored four goals in the last five matches across all competitions. He will be a big danger to the opponent’s defence with his flying form.

Lewy being Lewy 🤣🏆 pic.twitter.com/o4tTiCaomR

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 14, 2025

Match Facts

• Barcelona have already defeated Benfica once this season in the UCL and that too by a scoreline of 5-4.
• Benfica won two of their first three home games against Spanish sides in European competition.
• This will be the 11th meeting between Benfica and Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League.

Benfica vs Barcelona: Betting Tips and Odds

• Match to end in a draw @16/5 Betfair Sportsbook
• Goals over 3.5 @27/25 Bet Goodwin
• Robert Lewandowski @4/1 bet365

Injury and Team News

Angel Di Maria, Alexander Bah and three more players will not be in action for Benfica due to injuries. Florentino Luis will also not be available.

Barcelona will be without the services of Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Andreas Christensen and Marc Bernal as they are injured.

Head-to-Head

Total matches: 7

Benfica won: 1

Barcelona won: 3

Draws: 3

Predicted Lineups

Benfica predicted lineup (4-3-3)

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

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

Szczesny (GK); Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski

Match Prediction

The last battle between the two sides ended in a high-scoring contest. We expect this UCL round of 16 battle between Barcelona and Benfica to end in a draw.

Prediction: Benfica 2-2 Barcelona

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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