Benfica travel to Maccabi Haifa for their final UEFA Champions League Group H fixture on Wednesday. The Portuguese side are still unbeaten across all competitions this season and should complete the double over Maccabi on Wednesday.
Maccabi Haifa have found things difficult in the Champions League this season having claimed just one win from their five matches in Group H. They are currently bottom of the group but still have a chance of claiming a Europa League spot if results go their way on Wednesday.
The Israeli champions were completely outclassed in their previous fixture as they were beaten 7-2 by PSG. Barak Bakhar’s men were no match for the French giants with Abdoulaye Seck’s brace proving to be a mere consolation.
One thing Maccabi Haifa have going for them ahead of Wednesday’s clash is a decent record at home. They earned a 3-1 victory over Ashdod in domestic action last Saturday while their last home fixture in the Champions League was a 2-0 win over Juventus.
Having already sealed a place in the knockout phase of the Champions League, the next task for Benfica will be to seal top spot. They are currently second behind PSG on goal difference and can finish as group winners if results go their way on Wednesday.
Benfica are enjoying a fine campaign and are yet to taste defeat across all competitions this season. Roger Schmidt’s men won 4-3 over Juventus last time out in the Champions League and followed that up with a 5-0 victory over Chavez in a Primeira Liga fixture on Saturday.
Things are just as solid on the road for Benfica, who have already won at Juventus in the Champions League. Their previous away fixture was a 1-0 victory over Primeira Liga champions FC Porto in a domestic fixture.
How the bookies view it
Benfica have the upper hand among the bookies and are priced at 13/18 by SBK to claim the win. A victory for Maccabi Haifa is valued at 4/1 by Unibet while a draw is set at odds of 16/5 by bet365.
Head to head
There have been only one previous meeting between Maccabi Haifa and Benfica with the Portuguese giants claiming a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture back in September.
Players to watch
Omer Atzili netted a brace for Maccabi Haifa in their previous home fixture and will be the one to watch on Wednesday. William Hill have the forward at odds of 19/5 to get on the score sheet.
Rafa Silva has found his scoring touch in recent weeks with four goals in his last three matches across all competitions. The attacker was also on target in the reverse fixture against Maccabi and is priced at 9/4 by bet365 to find the net on Wednesday.
Anything else catch eye?
Maccabi Haifa often get goals at home and given the quality in Benfica’s attack, both teams could be backed to score at 5/8 with SBK. There have been over 3.5 goals in Benfica’s last two matches and a repeat is valued at 11/8 with bet365.
The goals have flowed freely for Benfica this season and they could be backed to score in both halves at 11/8 with BoyleSports.
This UEFA Champions League match between Maccabi Haifa and Benfica will be played on Nov 2, 2022 and kick off at 20:00. Check below for our tipsters best Maccabi Haifa vs Benfica prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
