Benfica vs Barcelona predictions, betting tips and odds: Barca to stamp authority in another lively Lisbon affair

Where to watch Benfica vs Barcelona

You can watch Benfica vs Barcelona in the Champions League at 8pm on Wednesday, March 5, live on TNT Sports 3

Benfica vs Barcelona prediction & best bet

Barcelona to win & both teams to score
1pt 15-8 general

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Benfica vs Barcelona odds

Here are the latest odds ahead of Benfica vs Barcelona in the Champions League

Odds correct at time of publishing

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Benfica vs Barcelona predictions

Barcelona twice fought back from two goals down to prevail in a nine-goal epic  at Benfica in the league phase of the Champions League and the Catalan giants can triumph in another lively encounter on their return to Lisbon for the opening leg of their last-16 tie.

The meeting between these two teams in January was an excellent advert for the new format as Barcelona survived two Wojciech Szczesny blunders to land the spoils 5-4 deep into injury-time through Raphinha’s second strike of the contest.

Benfica will wonder how they blew such an opportunity having led 4-2 with 78 minutes on the clock but such is the firepower the La Liga leaders possess that they are likely to dictate the tempo of the tie.

Barcelona enjoyed 74 per cent possession in the latest showdown, winning the final shot stats 22 to ten, and they return to Portugal on an unbeaten run of 15 matches after Sunday’s 4-0 victory over Real Sociedad strengthened their position at the La Liga summit.

Hansi Flick's side won six of their final seven Champions League matches to finish second behind Liverpool in the league phase and their tally of 28 goals from eight fixtures makes them the most explosive outfit in the competition by a considerable margin.

However, the visitors kept only two clean sheets in those eight matches and both of those shutouts came in home games against Young Boys and Brest, so Benfica will believe that they can make their presence felt with Vangelis Pavlidis leading the threat.

The Eagles will be well aware that they have to seize the initiative in playing the first leg at home, but that in itself adds pressure and keeping Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha at bay looks an especially difficult task.

Benfica beat Atletico Madrid 4-0 in one of their five Champions League home games this season, but they have also conceded three against Feyenoord and Monaco and been held to a draw by Bologna.

Barcelona have conceded at least twice in all four European away games this term, not only in that thrilling victory at Benfica but also on trips to Monaco, Red Star Belgrade and Borussia Dortmund.

Barca tend to back their attacking talents to do the business - they have scored four or more in nine of their last 15 matches - and that may be the case again in the Portuguese capital.

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Key stat

Both teams have scored in Barcelona’s last seven Champions League away games.

Benfica vs Barcelona team news

Benfica
Florentino is joined in the treatment room by Alexander Bah, Manu Silva, Tiago Gouveia, Renato Sanches and Angel Di Maria. Bruma remains ineligible.

Barcelona
Andreas Christensen has joined Marc Bernal and Marc-Andre ter Stegen on the sidelines. Gavi was rested for Sunday’s win over Real Sociedad due to illness but is expected to return.

Benfica vs Barcelona predicted line-ups

Benfica (4-3-3): Trubin; Araujo, Otamendi, Silva, Alvaro Carreras; Kokcu, Barreiro, Aursnes; Akturkoglu, Pavlidis, Schjelderup.
Subs: Dahl, Belotti, Amdouni, Rego, Santos, Prestianni, Cabral, Nuno Felix.

Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde; Pedri, De Jong; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha; Lewandowski.
Subs: Olmo, Gerard Martin, Garcia, Torres, Casado, Fati, Victor, Lopez.

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Benfica vs Barcelona Bet Builder player stats

Stats refer to league games only; does not include unavailable players

Benfica vs Barcelona bet builder predictions

Both teams to score
Both teams have scored in Barcelona’s last seven Champions League away games, which includes their thrilling 5-4 win in Lisbon in January.

Raphinha anytime goalscorer
The Brazilian has 24 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions this season and he had seven shots and netted a brace in that victory at Benfica two months ago.

Alvaro Carreras to be shown a card
Benfica's young left back made three fouls and picked up a yellow card in the 5-4 defeat at home to Barcelona in the league phase and another tough time is anticipated up against Lamine Yamal.

Pays out at 13-2 with bet365

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