The Matchday 7 clash in the 2024/25 Champions League group stage between Benfica (Portugal) and Barcelona (Spain) will take place on January 21 at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. Benfica vs. Barcelona: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Danny Makkelie (Netherlands)
Matches – 5 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 17;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.4;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 20%.
Predicted lineups for Benfica vs. Barcelona
Benfica (4-3-3): Anatoliy Trubin – Alexander Bah, Tomas Araujo, Nicolas Otamendi, Alvaro Carreras – Fredrik Aursnes, Florentino, Orkun Kokcu – Andreas Schjelderup, Vangelis Pavlidis, Kerem Akturkoglu.
Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Inaki Pena – Pau Cubarsi, Jules Kounde, Inigo Martinez, Alex Balde – Marc Casado, Pedri – Fermin Lopez, Gavi, Raphinha Dias – Robert Lewandowski.
Benfica
The Portuguese side is placed 15th in the overall standings of the Champions League, trailing the top eight by three points. In the last round, the club dropped two points, drawing at home with Bologna (0-0). This wasn't the first setback for the Lisbon team in the current European competition, as they previously lost to Feyenoord (1-3) and Bayern Munich (0-1).
Forward Tiago Gouveia and midfielder Renato Sanches will miss the match due to injuries.
- At least three goals have been scored in 7 of Benfica's last 9 matches in this tournament.
- The club has failed to win in 10 of their last 14 Champions League encounters (3 draws and 7 losses).
- One team has kept a clean sheet in the first half in 7 of Benfica's last 9 Champions League games.
Barcelona
The Catalans are in second place in the overall standings of the Champions League. The Spaniards have already secured a spot in the playoffs, but their primary goal is to finish in the top eight to advance directly to the Round of 16. The team is on a solid run: after an unexpected defeat in the first round to Monaco (1-2), Hans Flick's side has won five consecutive matches. In each of these victories, Barcelona scored at least three goals. As a result, the Catalans have far surpassed all opponents in terms of goals scored (21).
Due to injuries, goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, defender Inigo Martinez, and midfielders Dani Olmo and Marc Bernal are out.
- At least three goals have been scored in Barcelona's last nine Champions League matches.
- Both teams have scored in 10 of Barcelona's last 12 matches in this tournament.
- The Spaniards have won the second half in their last five European matches.
Benfica vs. Barcelona: Match Prediction
In the upcoming match, I slightly favor the hosts. The Lisbon side needs to try to defeat one of the leaders of the overall stage since they face an away game against Juventus in the final round, who also have not yet guaranteed a playoff spot in the Champions League. Despite unconvincing results in their last two home matches in the Champions League (a draw with Bologna and a loss to Feyenoord), the Portuguese team can rise to the occasion against Barcelona, having already defeated a La Liga representative and its current leader, Atletico, at home in October with a resounding 4-0 victory.
For the Catalans, a draw in this away match would suffice. In such a scenario, the Spaniards would still maintain their place in the top eight of the overall stage. Additionally, it's worth noting that their last visit to Benfica ended in a painful defeat: the hosts thrashed the Catalans 3-0 in the group stage of the 2021/22 Champions League.
My prediction – Benfica to win or draw
