Barcelona and Benfica reconvene for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Tuesday evening.
The Catalan giants drew first blood in Lisbon last week by claiming a narrow 1-0 win despite being reduced to ten men.
That victory has put Hansi Flick’s side in pole position to progress to the last-eight ahead of this week’s return match in Spain.
Champions League outright favourites Barcelona weren’t in action at the weekend after their La Liga match against Osasuna was postponed due to the tragic passing of their first-team doctor.
As for Benfica, they bounced back from last week’s first leg loss with a 3-0 win over Nacional in the Portuguese Primeira Liga on Saturday.
The Eagles will now be turning their attention back to continental matters as they look to overturn the aforementioned 1-0 deficit.
How the bookies view it: Barcelona to march on
After earning a 1-0 win at the Estadio da Luz last Wednesday night, Barcelona are firm 1/3 favourites on Boylesports to take top honours from this week’s second leg. Adding in BTTS will boost the odds up to a more enticing looking 13/10 (Boylesports).
Despite winning four of their five Champions League away games this season, Benfica are big outsiders here at 6/1 with Boylesports, while the draw can be backed at 4/1 with the same firm.
Head to head: Barca the boss
Last week’s success in the Portuguese capital means that Barcelona have now won each of the previous two meetings between the pair this season, as well as four of the overall six showdowns.
Players to watch: Lewandowski worth a look
Robert Lewandowski has nine goals in as many games in this season’s Champions League. Five of those nine strikes have arrived in front of Barcelona’s own supporters, making the Polish ace an appealing prospect to notch again here at 5/6 on UniBet.
Benfica will look to Vangelis Pavlidis for inspiration on Tuesday night. The Benfica hitman is a tempting 2/1 on Bet 365 to make the net bulge against Barcelona this week.
Predicted line-ups
Pau Cubarsí won’t play any part this week after being sent off in Lisbon last Wednesday night. The teenage sensation will join injured trio Andreas Christensen, Marc Bernal and Marc-Andre ter Stegen on the sidelines.
Benfica boss Bruno Lage looks set be without as many as five players on Tuesday evening, including former Real Madrid man Angel Di Maria.
Barcelona: Szczesny; Kounde, Martinez, Araujo, Martinez; Cassado, Pedri, Olmo; Raphinha, Yamal, Lewandowski
Benfica: Trubin; Santos, Otamendi, Silva, Carreras; Florentino, Kokcu, Barreiro, Akturkoglu; Pavlidis, Cabral
Anything else catch the eye?
Given the dynamics of this second leg showdown, Benfica look worth backing to hit four or more corners at even-money (1/1) on Boylesports.
The Eagles are earning an average of five corners per game when playing in the Champions League this season.
What's more, Benfica racked up no fewer than 13 flag-kicks during last week’s first leg, further suggesting four or more is well within the realms of possibility on Tuesday evening.
This UEFA Champions League match between Barcelona and Benfica will be played on and kick off at 17:45. Check below for our tipsters best Barcelona vs Benfica prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
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