Benfica host RB Salzburg in their opening Group D fixture in the UEFA Champions League. Both teams come into this one in good form but Benfica have fared much better in the competition in recent times and should have the upper hand on Wednesday.
Benfica were one of the surprise teams in last season’s Champions League as they progressed all the way to the quarterfinals. Despite being in the same group with Juventus and PSG, they only suffered one defeat throughout the competition.
The target for Benfica will be to improve on last season’s campaign and at least go one better this time around. Roger Schmidt’s men are enjoying a fine start to the season and are just one point off the pace in the Primeira Liga having won their last five matches.
Benfica head into Wednesday’s clash off the back of a 2-1 victory at Vizela in a domestic fixture last weekend. They raced to a two-goal lead before the break with Petar Musa and Angel Di Maria both on target.
RB Salzburg are also heading into Wednesday’s clash in good form having made an unbeaten start to the Austrian Bundesliga campaign. They are two points clear at the top of the standing after claiming six wins and a draw in seven matches.
The Austrian Champions travel to Benfica off the back of a 2-2 draw with Sturm Graz in a domestic fixture last weekend. They led at the break but fell behind after the restart before Sekou Koita netted the equalizer midway through the second half.
While Salzburg have become regulars in the Champions League, their recent record has been less than stellar. They have claimed just one win in their last eight matches in the competition, losing the last two in that run.
How the bookies view it
Benfica are considered overwhelming favourites among the bookies with a home win priced at 4/9 by Coral. A victory for RB Salzburg is valued at 7/1 by bet365 while 888Sport is offering odds of 4/1 for a draw.
Head to head
This will be the first ever meeting between Benfica and RB Salzburg.
Players to watch
It has been an excellent homecoming for Angel Di Maria, he has been in good form since returning to Benfica in the summer. The Argentine winger has four goals in his last five matches and is priced at 2/1 by BoyleSports to maintain his scoring run.
Sekou Koita has also been in good form for Salzburg this season and has scored three goals in his last four matches. The forward is priced at odds of 21/4 by Unibet to find the net on Wednesday.
Anything else catch the eye?
Benfica and RB Salzburg have the quality to hold their own going forward and both teams could be backed to score at 10/13 with Unibet. The Portuguese side saw over 2.5 goals last weekend and a repeat is priced at 8/13 with bet365 while over 3.5 goals is valued at 6/4 with 10bet.
Given their numerous attacking options, Benfica could be tipped to score in both halves at 11/10 with bet365. With a straight home victory priced at minimal odds, a win and both teams to score can be considered at 2/1 with bet365.
This UEFA Champions League match between Benfica and RB Salzburg will be played on Sep 20, 2023 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Benfica vs RB Salzburg prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
