Prediction: Benfica vs Club Brugge

Prediction: Benfica to win 3-0

Best Odds: 15/2

Bookmaker: Betfair

Benfica and Club Brugge will face each other in the UEFA Champions League this week. It is the second leg of the Round of 16 tie between the Portuguese club and the Belgian outfit. The first leg ended in a 2-0 win for Benfica in Belgium. The second leg will be held at Estadio da Luz and is scheduled to kick off at 8pm UK time on Tuesday.

Benfica

Benfica are one of the biggest clubs in Portugal and are doing extremely well at the moment. Roger Schmidt’s side are at the top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga table now with 62 points from 23 matches. They are as many as eight points clear of second-placed FC Porto.

The Eagles are doing well in the UEFA Champions League as well and are in a great position to progress to the quarter-finals of Europe’s premier club competition. Benfica won the first leg of their Round of 16 tie against Club Bruges 2-0 away from home. Joao Mario put Benfica in the lead from the penalty spot in the 51st minute, and David Neres doubled the advantage on 88 minutes.

Benfica will head into the UEFA Champions League match against Club Brugge on the back of a 2-0 win against Famalicao at home in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. It followed a 2-0 victory over Vizela away from home in the league and came after a 3-1 victory over Boavista in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.

Team News:

Benfica have no new serious injury problems. Mihailo Ristic (muscle) and Julian Draxler (ankle) are both on the sidelines. Midfielder Chiquinho has a muscular problem and should also miss out. Goncalo Guedes has a knee issue and is unlikely to play either.

Club Brugge

Club Brugge have done well to get past the group stage of the UEFA Champions League and into the knockout rounds. The Belgian club finished second in Group B with 11 points from six matches, just a point behind eventual winners FC Porto. Brugge also ended up above Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid, so it was a remarkable feat.

However, it seems that Club Brugge will not be able to progress to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. After all, they lost the first leg of their Round of 16 tie against Benfica 2-0 at home. Blauw-Zwart had only 45% of the possession and just one short on target. In contrast, Benfica took 14 shots and four of them were on target.

Club Brugge will head into the match against Benfica in Portugal on the back of a 3-0 defeat to KV Oostende away from home in the Belgian First Division A. They are as low as fourth in the table with 46 points from 28 matches. Leaders KRC Genk have picked up 67 points from 28 games.

Team News

Jack Hendry may not play for Club Brugge against Benfica in the second leg in Portugal on Tuesday evening due to an injury to his quadriceps. Andreas Skov Olsen is unavailable as he recovers from appendix surgery.

Key Factors to Consider

• Benfica have won their last 3 UEFA Champions League matches.
• Benfica have won 5 of their last 6 competitive matches.
• Club Brugge have not won any of their last 4 UEFA Champions League games.
• Club Brugge have won just 1 of their last 6 competitive games.
• Joao Mario has scored 5 goals and given 1 assist in 7 UEFA Champions League matches.

Conclusion

Benfica are overwhelming favourites to win the second leg against Club Brugge. The Portuguese powerhouse had it easy in the away leg, and it is really hard to see anything but a convincing win for them at home.

Prediction: Benfica to win 3-0

Best Odds: 15/2

Bookmaker: Betfair