Benfica vs Barcelona: betting odds January 21, 2025

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 in 15th place in the Champions League group stage standings, three points behind the top eight. In their last match, they dropped two points at home against Bologna (0-0). This was not the first time Benfica has dropped points in this season's European campaign, having previously lost to Feyenoord (1-3) and Bayern Munich (0-1).

Forward Ángel Di María 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 not won in 10 of their last 14 Champions League encounters (3 draws and 7 losses).
• One team has won with 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 Champions League group stage standings. The Spaniards have already secured a spot in the playoffs, but their main goal is to finish in the top eight to advance directly to the Round of 16. The team is on a strong run: after a surprising defeat in the first round against Monaco (1-2), Hans Flick's side has won five consecutive matches. In all of these victories, Barcelona has scored at least three goals. As a result, they have outscored all their 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 out of the game.

• 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 give a slight edge to the hosts. The Lisbon side needs to try to beat one of the leaders of the group stage, as they will face Juventus in the final round, which also hasn't secured a playoff spot in the Champions League. Despite unconvincing results in the 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, as they have already defeated a La Liga representative and its current leader, Atletico, with a resounding 4-0 victory in October.

Barcelona would be content with a draw in this away match. Such a result would still keep the Spaniards in the top eight of the group stage. Additionally, the last visit to Benfica ended in a painful defeat for Barcelona, with the hosts thrashing the Catalans 3-0 in the Champions League group stage in 2021/22.

My prediction: Benfica to win or draw