Will Barcelona take the next step out of the crisis?

Two clubs with a long tradition face each other in a direct duel in the Champions League. Benfica Lisbon will be looking to shock FC Barcelona and inflict the Catalans’ second defeat in the group stage. The visitors will be hoping for a turnaround.

The current situation of the Catalans can be seen very well in the forecasts of the bookmakers. Ahead of the Benfica Lisbon vs Barcelona match, the betting odds show that the visitors’ favourites are only wafer-thin The odds on a Benfica win are almost identical. That should give the big club from Spain food for thought.

In a group with a strong FC Bayern, this is almost about second place. The match at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon kicks off on Wednesday evening in prime time at 9pm.

Portugal Benfica Lisbon – Statistics & current form

Benfica Lisbon are dreaming of a place in the last 16 of the Champions League. That this is possible in a group with Bayern and Barcelona is also due to the current crisis of the opponents from Spain. Benfica is in good form and won the dress rehearsal in the domestic league.

In any case, the club is the measure of all things in Portugal at the moment, having won all its games in the new season in the domestic league They drew 0-0 in Kiev at the start of the top flight, so the game against Barcelona is hugely important. Benfica is by no means without a chance here.

Ahead of the Benfica Lisbon vs Barcelona match, the odds from the best bookmakers show that the bettors do not have a clear favourite. However, the Portuguese have always lost their first home game in international competition in the last three years, and that has to improve now.

Benfica not just looking to upset Barcelona

So far, the defence in particular is showing good form. Benfica Lisbon have already played to nil in seven of the total of twelve competitive matches in the new season That is an astonishing and impressive figure. The approach for the game against Barcelona is therefore obvious. From a secure defensive position, Benfica Lisbon will not only want to annoy the favourites, but also take something with them.

It is also very good that the team has mastered several systems and has many flexible players in the squad. This also helps with adjustments during the game. The top club from Portugal has not yet lost a competitive match this season, so the much-cited broad chest is there.

Whether it will be enough to win remains to be seen. In any case, the chances are not too bad. Before the match between Benfica Lisbon and Barcelona, however, our prediction is that both teams will score goals.

Predicted Benfica Lisbon line-up:
Vlachodimos – Almeida, Otamendi, Vertonghen, Grimaldo – Weigl, Joao Mario, Lazaro, Rafa Silva – Nunez, Yaremchuk

Last matches played by Benfica Lisbon:

Spain Barcelona – Statistics & current form

A 3-0 win against Levante is not really special for FC Barcelona. This season, however, this weekend’s game with just that result was just that: special. A completely dominant game ensured the first win after three competitive games without a winning experience Barca climbed to sixth place in the league as a result.

Three wins, three draws: that is the balance in La Liga. In the Champions League, there was also a defeat against FC Bayern. Although Barcelona is currently exuding joy in some phases of the game, this club does not generate fear in its opponents.

Nevertheless: Individually, Barcelona is well-staffed in many positions. Therefore, our value tip before the match between Benfica Lisbon and Barcelona is that the visitors will win the match.

Barcelona want to confirm the Levante game

For the visitors, it’s all about confirming the upward trend from the last game. Frenkie de Jong returns, Pedri is also back, but will probably sit on the bench for the time being. Young players such as Nico and Gavi have also shown good signs recently. It is quite possible that something will come together in Barcelona. But the Catalans’ game is still characterised by a few inconsistencies.

The false start in Europe is to be averted. Barcelona has lost its first two games in the European Cup. That should not happen again. Offensively, the club is almost always capable of scoring goals. Defensively, however, Barca often offers something. Therefore, in the run-up to the Benfica Lisbon vs. Barcelona match, our tip is that both teams will come to score

Predicted line-up of Barcelona:
Ter Stegen – Mingueza, Pique, Araujo, Dest – Busquets, F. de Jong, Gavi – Coutinho, Depay, L. de Jong

Last matches played by Barcelona:

Benfica Lisbon – Barcelona Direct Comparison / H2H Record

These two clubs have faced each other in seven European Cup matches. Barcelona have yet to concede a single goal against Benfica Lisbon in the Champions League, with the Portuguese only winning a game in the 1961 European Champion Clubs’ Cup final. Otherwise, there have been three wins for Barcelona and three draws with 8:4 goals for the Spaniards.

Portugal Benfica Lisbon – Barcelona Spain Tip

Benfica Lisbon and Barcelona are two big names in Europe, but the terror that Barca in particular exuded for a long time has faded. The Catalans want to avert the false start and are no longer even the clear favourites at the Eagles from Lisbon. Times have changed

It’s hard to predict a winner, too much depends on the form of the day. In general, both offensive lines have a lot of quality, so before the game Benfica Lisbon vs Barcelona our prediction is that both teams will also score at least one goal.