Prediction: Benfica vs Barcelona

Prediction: Match to end in 2-2 draw

Best Odds: 10/1

Bookmaker: Betfair

Benfica and Barcelona will face each other in the Champions League this week. The match will be held at Estádio do SL Benfica in Lisbon and is scheduled to kick off at 8pm UK time on Wednesday.

Benfica

Benfica are second in Champions League Group E at the moment with one point from one match. The Portuguese giants kicked off their campaign with a goalless draw with Dynamo Kyiv away from home.

Jorge Jesus’s side will head into the match against Barcelona on the back of a 3-1 victory over Vitoria Guimaraes in the Portuguese league. It followed a 3-1 win against Boavista in the league.

Team News:

Lucas Varissimo could replace Morato in the Benfica defence.

Barcelona

Barcelona are one of the top two favourites to go through from Group E, but they started their Champions League campaign on a disappointing note. Ronald Koeman’s side lost their opening game 3-0 to Bayern Munich at Camp Nou.

The Spanish giants will head into the match against Benfica on the back of a 3-0 victory over Levante at Camp Nou in La Liga. It followed a goalless draw with Cadiz away from home in the league.

Team News:

Frenkie de Jong is likely to start in the Barcelona midfield.

Key Factors to Consider

• Benfica have drawn their last two Champions League games.
• Benfica have won four of their last five competitive games.
• Barcelona have won two of their last five competitive games.
• Barcelona have won 9 of their last 21 away matches in European competition.
• Benfica are unbeaten in eight European games in Lisbon.

Conclusion

Benfica will know that they can beat Barcelona, especially with no Lionel Messi in the squad. The Blaugrana are still struggling without the Argentina international forward, now at Paris Saint-Germain, and could end up having to settle for a point in Portugal on Wednesday evening.

Prediction: Match to end in 2-2 draw

Best Odds: 10/1

Bookmaker: Betfair