Benfica vs Barcelona: betting odds 21 Jan 2025

The Matchday 7 encounter in the 2024/25 Champions League group stage between Benfica (Portugal) and Barcelona (Spain) will take place on January 21 at the Estadio 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): Anatoliy Trubin – Alexander Bah, Tomas Araujo, Nicolas Otamendi, Alvaro Carreras – Fredrik Aursnes, Florentino, Orkun Kokcu – Angel Di Maria, Vangelis Pavlidis, Kerem Akturkoglu.

Barcelona (4-2-3-1): Inaki Pena – Pau Cubarsi, Jules Kounde, Inigo Martinez, Alex Balde – Marc Casado, Pedri – Fermin Lopez, Gavi, Raphinha Dias – Robert Lewandowski.

Benfica

The Portuguese side is currently 15th in the overall stage of the Champions League, trailing the top eight by three points. In the last round, they missed out on two points, drawing 0-0 at home against Bologna. This was not the first time Benfica dropped points in this European campaign, having previously lost to Feyenoord (1-3) and Bayern Munich (0-1).

• At least three goals have been scored in 7 of Benfica's last 9 matches in this tournament.
• The team has not won in 10 of their last 14 Champions League games (3 draws and 7 losses).
• One team kept a clean sheet in the first half in 7 of Benfica's last 9 Champions League games.

Barcelona

The Catalans are currently second in the overall stage standings of the Champions League. They 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 in excellent form, having won five consecutive matches after a surprising defeat to Monaco (1-2) in the first round. In all these victories, Barcelona 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-Andre ter Stegen, defender Inigo Martinez, and midfielder 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 matches in this tournament.
• The Spaniards 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. Benfica needs to try and defeat one of the leaders of the overall stage, as they face a trip to 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 team is likely to be well-prepared for Barcelona, especially since they have already defeated La Liga's current leader Atletico at home in October with a resounding 4-0 victory.

For Barcelona, a draw in the away match would be satisfactory. In such a scenario, the Spaniards would still maintain their position in the top eight of the overall stage. It's worth noting that their last visit to Benfica ended in a painful defeat: the hosts thrashed the Catalans 3-0 in the group stage of the 2021/22 Champions League.

My prediction – Benfica to win or draw