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): Anatolii Trubin – Alexander Bah, Tomas Araujo, Nicolas Otamendi, Alvaro Carreras – Fredrik Aursnes, Florentino, Orkun Kökçü – Andreas Schjelderup, Vangelis Pavlidis, Kerem Aktürkoğlu.
Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Iñaki Peña – Pau Cubarsi, Jules Koundé, Iñigo Martínez, Alejandro Balde – Marc Casadó, Pedri – Fermín López, Gavi, Raphinha Dias – Robert Lewandowski.
Benfica
The Portuguese side is currently 15th in the Champions League group stage standings, trailing the top eight by three points. In the last round, the team dropped two points, drawing at home against Bologna (0-0). This was not the first time Benfica lost points in this European campaign, 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 team has failed to win 10 of their last 14 Champions League games (3 draws and 7 losses).
- One team won with a clean sheet in the first half in 7 of Benfica's last 9 Champions League games.
Barcelona
The Catalans are second in the Champions League group stage standings. They have already secured a spot in the playoffs, but their main goal is to finish in the top eight to directly qualify for the Round of 16. The team is in excellent form, having won five consecutive matches after an unexpected defeat in the first round against Monaco (1-2). In all their victories, Barcelona scored at least three goals, significantly outscoring all opponents with a total of 21 goals.
Due to injuries, goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, defender Iñigo Martínez, and midfielders Dani Olmo and Marc Bernal are unavailable.
- At least three goals have been scored in Barcelona's last nine Champions League matches.
- Both teams scored in 10 of Barcelona's last 12 games 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. Benfica needs to try to beat one of the group stage leaders, as they will face Juventus in the final round, who have also not yet secured 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 can rise to the occasion against Barcelona, especially since they have already defeated a La Liga representative and its current leader, Atletico, with a resounding 4-0 victory in October.
For Barcelona, a draw in the away match would be satisfactory. In this scenario, the Spaniards will still retain a place in the top eight of the group stage. Another fact to consider: Barcelona's last visit to Benfica ended in a painful defeat, with the hosts thrashing the Catalans 3-0 in the 2021/22 Champions League group stage.
My prediction – Benfica to win or draw
