🗓️ 11/03/2025 | 🏆 Champions League | 🏟 Estadio Olimpic De Montjuic
🔎 PREVIEW FOR BARCELONA VS BENFICA
Barcelona go into the second leg of this Champions League fixture against Benfica with a 1-0 lead following Raphinha’s 61st minute goal at the Estádio da Luz. This doesn’t tell the whole story though as Barcelona played most of the tie with 10 men following Pau Cubarsí’s sending off.
Wojciech Szczesny was in fine form for Barcelona in the first leg, making a string of saves to atone for his mistakes in Barca’s 5-4 victory over Benfica back in January.
The Catalan outfit are clearly the favourites going into this clash at Camp Nou, but Benfica are a decent side and could pose a threat. They are coming into this game following a 3-0 win against Nacional in the Primeira Liga at the weekend but Barcelona will be fresh, having not played since last Wednesday’s first leg win.
Gavi should feature for Barcelona. He was named in the squad that should have faced Osasuna on Saturday. This game was cancelled at the last minute due to the death of Barca club doctor Carles Minarro Garcia.
Cubarsi is suspended, while Marc Bernal and Marc-Andre Ter Stegen are both injured.
For Benfica, Tiago Gouveia and Alexander Bah are out. Angel Di Maria may also be missing due to a muscle injury. Alvaro Carreras is suspended.
BARCELONA VS BENFICA H2H AND KEY STATS
Barcelona have only lost one of their last 10 European games against Benfica, winning five.
Barcelona have never been defeated by Benfica at Camp Nou (W2, D2).
Barcelona enter this game unbeaten in their last eight Champions League games (W7, D1).
Raphinha has scored 12 and assisted eight goals in 21 Champions League appearances.
Benfica have not scored in their last three trips to Camp Nou, but these did include two 0-0 draws.
Benfica have been knocked out on five of the last six occasions when they have entered the second leg of a Champions League match at a disadvantage.
⚽ BARCELONA VS BENFICA PREDICTION
🏆 FINAL RESULT – WHO WILL PREVAIL?
✅ Barcelona Win
All of the stats point to a Barcelona win and with Raphina in their ranks, they have a player in top form.
⚖️ Draw
January’s 5-4 win for Barcelona in the group stage suggests teams which are more evenly matched than initially appears.
💥 Benfica Win
Benfica defeated Barcelona 3-0 back in September 2021, but this was at Estadio da Luz. Barcelona can occasionally self-destruct, as we saw in that 5-4 victory two months ago. Don’t rule Benfica out.
⚽ TOTAL GOALS OVER/UNDER
🔥 Over 2.5 Goals
Benfica and Barcelona played out a nine-goal thriller in January. Two of the last four games between the two sides had more than 2.5 goals.
🛑 Under 2.5 Goals
The last two Champions League games between the two sides at Camp Nou ended in 0-0 draws. There have only been over 2.5 goals in three of the last 10 encounters between the sides. The first leg last week was decided by a single goal.
🤝 BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
✅ Yes
Both teams scored in January and if we see similar defensive displays on Tuesday, there is every chance this will happen again. Benfica have scored three goals in four of their last five league games. They also averaged two goals a game in the Champions League group stage, with Barcelona averaging 3.5.
🚫 No
Both teams have only scored in two of the last 10 games between the two sides. You have to go back to 1992 to find the last time both teams scored at Camp Nou. Benfica had 26 shots against 10-man Barcelona last week and failed to score.
⭐ ANYTIME GOALSCORERS
⚡ Raphinha (Barcelona)
Raphinha scored the winning goal in the first leg and has strong Champions League pedigree. Twelve goals and eight assists in 21 Champions League games is an average of a goal or assist every 76 minutes. He is joint fourth highest scorer in La Liga with 13.
🎯 Vangelis Pavlidis (Benfica)
Scorer of a hat-trick against Barcelona in that 4-5 defeat, the Greek is fourth in the top scorers list in the Portuguese Primeira Liga. He has scored nine goals this season.
⚽ BETTING TIPS
MY VERDICT
- Barcelona to Win
- Both Teams To Score
