The Matchday 6 clash in the 2024/25 Champions League group stage between Benfica (Portugal) and Bologna (Italy) will take place on December 11 at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. Benfica vs. Bologna: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Referee: Radu Petrescu (Romania)
Matches – 6 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 26;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.3;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 33%.
Predicted lineups for Benfica vs. Bologna
Benfica (4-3-3): Anatoliy Trubin – Alexander Bah, Tomas Araujo, Nicolas Otamendi, Alvaro Carreras – Fredrik Aursnes, Florentino, Orkun Kokcu – Angel Di Maria, Vangelis Pavlidis, Kerem Akturkoglu.
Bologna (4-5-1): Lukasz Skorupski – Emil Holm, Sam Beukema, John Lucumi, Juan Miranda – Remo Freuler, Lewis Ferguson, Dan Ndoye, Jens Odgaard, Samuel Iling-Junior – Santiago Castro.
Benfica
Bruno Lage's side triumphed over Monaco away (3-2) in the last round. As a result, Benfica snapped a two-match losing streak in the Champions League and claimed their third victory in the group stage. However, the team has failed to keep a clean sheet in 13 of their last 14 matches in this European competition. In the standings, the Portuguese have nine points and sit in 14th place.
Forward Tiago Gouveia will not play due to injury.
- The team has not won in regular time in 5 of their last 6 home matches in the Champions League (1 draw, 4 losses).
- The club has conceded in 90 minutes in 8 of their last 9 home games in this European competition.
- Both opponents scored in regular time in 6 of Benfica's last 8 matches in the Champions League.
Bologna
In the last round, Vincenzo Italiano's side lost 1-2 at home to Lille. As a result, Bologna suffered their fourth consecutive defeat in the Champions League, though they scored for the first time in the group stage. Nonetheless, the team remains the worst in terms of goals scored in this season's Champions League. In the standings, the Italians have only one point, placing them 33rd.
Defender Charalampos Lykogiannis, midfielder Michel Aebischer, and forward Riccardo Orsolini will not play due to injuries.
- The club has not won in their last five Champions League matches (1 draw, 4 losses).
- No more than two goals were scored in 4 of the team's last 5 matches in this European competition.
- The Italians have conceded in their last four Champions League matches.
Benfica vs. Bologna: Match Prediction
In recent Champions League campaigns, the Portuguese have not consistently excelled in attack at home. In their last six home matches in this European competition, Benfica's players have surpassed the one-goal mark only twice, failing to score in three of those games.
In the match against Bologna, Bruno Lage's side will once again find it challenging to create opportunities. The Italians prefer a defensive approach, limiting their opponents' chances: in none of their matches in this season's Champions League has Bologna conceded more than two goals. However, their attacking record is poor, with only one goal scored in the group stage.
I think the Italians will again aim to be solid defensively, and we will see another low-scoring match. My prediction: Total under 3 goals
