The first leg of the 2024/25 Champions League Round of 16 between Benfica (Portugal) and Barcelona (Spain) will take place on March 5 at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. Benfica vs. Barcelona: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Benfica
The Lisbon team overcame Monaco in the playoff matches, defeating the French side thanks to an away victory (1-0 and 3-3). Notably, in their last six Champions League appearances, the team has suffered only one defeat, securing three victories and two draws. The Portuguese team has reached the Round of 16 for the third time in the last four seasons, having progressed from this stage in the previous two instances.
- The team has not lost in 9 of their last 12 Champions League games (6 wins and 3 draws).
- Benfica scored first in their last four matches in this European competition.
- At least four goals have been scored in 5 of Benfica's last 6 home matches in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Benfica (4-3-3)
Anatoliy Trubin – Antonio Silva, Alvaro Carreras, Samuel Dall, Nicolas Otamendi – Leandro Barreiro, Zeki Amdouni, Orkun Kökçü – Andreas Schelderup, Vangelis Pavlidis, Kerem Aktürkoğlu.
Midfielders Renato Sanches, Ángel Di María, and Manu Silva, defender Alexander Bah, and forward Tiago Gouveia will miss the match due to injuries.
Barcelona
In the 2021/22 and 2022/23 seasons, the Spaniards failed to reach the Champions League playoffs. However, in the last tournament, the Catalans made it to the quarter-finals but were defeated by PSG (3-2 and 1-4). Once again, the team has reached the Round of 16, finishing second in the group stage with 6 wins in 8 games (1 draw and 1 loss). Additionally, Barcelona's matches have been the most prolific in the main stage of this European competition, averaging 5.1 goals per game, with the team excelling in attack (28 goals).
- Both teams scored in 12 of Barcelona's last 14 Champions League encounters.
- At least three goals have been scored in Barcelona's last 11 matches in this tournament.
- In their last seven group stage matches, the club has not scored fewer than two goals.
Predicted lineup for Barcelona (4-3-3)
Wojciech Szczęsny – Jules Koundé, Eric García, Pau Cubarsi, Alejandro Balde – Marc Casadó, Pedri, Fermín López – Lamine Yamal, Raphinha Dias, Robert Lewandowski.
Due to injuries, goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, defender Andreas Christensen, and midfielder Marc Bernal will be unavailable.
Referee
Felix Zwayer (Germany)
Matches – 8 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 49;
Average yellow cards per match – 6.1;
Red cards shown – 4;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 25%.
Benfica vs. Barcelona: Match Prediction
The matches between these teams in the current Champions League have been excitingly high-scoring. Notably, their head-to-head clash in the 7th round of the group stage in Lisbon ended with a thrilling 5-4 victory for the Spaniards. Also, Benfica's home games in this tournament have seen at least four goals scored in five of their last six matches.
As mentioned earlier, Barcelona's group stage games have been the most prolific. In eight of their main stage matches, at least four goals were scored six times. Furthermore, in all five of Barcelona's previous away games in this tournament, at least three goals were scored.
I anticipate that the first game will feature three or more goals. Both teams score, on average, more than two goals per match in their respective leagues. My prediction: Total over 3 goals
