Verdict: Raphinha over 0.5 pictures on track
Finest Odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: Luckster
Getting their Champions League Spherical of 16 underway on Wednesday evening, Barcelona will return to Lisbon after they meet Benfica.
Benfica
As for the guests, extending on their Champions League journey a fortnight in the past as they clung to a nail-biting 4-3 mixture win in opposition to Monaco, Benfica have actual discovered prime gear over the previous six weeks. With simply their purpose distinction retaining them off the highest of the Primeira Liga standings, Bruno Lage’s males discover the temper of their camp at a red-hot excessive. Punching their Taco de Portugal semi-final ticket final day trip as they claimed a 1-0 victory in opposition to Braga, the Eagles have gained seven of their earlier eight appearances throughout all competitions. Nonetheless, though the previous Wolves boss is perhaps determined to gather what could be a well-known Champions League scalp this month, they need to be involved by their notorious final assembly in opposition to Wednesday’s company. Slumping to a exceptional 5-4 loss after they welcomed Barca to Lisbon for a gaggle stage battle on January twenty first, Lage’s aspect might be bracing themselves for one more stern examination right here.
Benfica Group Information
Nonetheless coping with a latest hamstring harm, Benfica are as soon as once more anticipated to be with out former Actual Madrid famous person Angel Di Maria on Wednesday evening. Not that includes since January eleventh, the Eagles can even be unable to name upon former Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches in midweek.
Notching a well-known Champions League hat-trick in opposition to Barcelona again in January and recording 11 targets in his earlier 10 appearances throughout all competitions, the red-hot Vangelis Pavlidis will play a number one function within the last third. Former Manchester Metropolis defender Nicolas Otamendi will associate Antonio Silva on the again.
Barcelona
As for the guests, placing in what was one other dominant show over the weekend as they cruised their strategy to a 4-0 romp at dwelling in opposition to Actual Sociedad, Barcelona are having fun with an actual purple patch. Skyrocketing themselves again to the highest of the La Liga desk, the Spanish giants are clearly having fun with life beneath Hansi Flick. Though some round Catalonia may need been shocked final summer season following the appointment of the previous Bayern Munich boss, Barca have continued to obtain a string of plaudits from throughout the continent. Storming their strategy to a Champions League top-eight end, Wednesday’s company are unbeaten in all of their earlier 13 appearances throughout all competitions. Topped Tremendous Cup champions on January twelfth as they secured a well-known 5-2 victory in opposition to arch-rivals Actual Madrid, Flick’s aspect have additionally discovered a significant scientific edge within the last third.
Barcelona Group Information
Struggling yet one more harm setback final week, Barcelona have confirmed that former Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen won’t function right here. Likewise, German goalkeeper Marc-Andre her Stegen is just not anticipated to function over the rest of the season as a result of a long-term knee difficulty.
As soon as once more discovering the online in opposition to Sociedad on Sunday and having fun with what has been one other record-breaking flurry this season, Polish icon Robert Lewandowski will spearhead Flick’s cost. Bagging that dramatic last-gasp successful in Lisbon on January twenty first, ex-Leeds talisman Raphinha will be a part of Lewandowski in assault.
Key Elements to Take into account
- When Benfica and Barcelona met for a Champions League group stage showdown on January twenty first, Flick’s aspect secured a sensational 5-4 victory in Lisbon.
- Barcelona are unbeaten in all of their earlier 13 appearances throughout all competitions.
- Benfica have gained seven of their final eight appearances throughout all codecs.
- Barca have gained every of their earlier 4 showdowns exterior of Catalonia by an mixture rating of 16-5.
- Eight of Benfica’s final 9 appearances on the Estadio da Luz has completed with over 2.5 targets.
Conclusion
Mounting what was a sensational last-gasp comeback in Lisbon on January twenty first as Barcelona clinched a well-known 5-4 win, neutrals might be hoping for the same Champions League thriller. With Flick’s aspect skyrocketing their manner again to the highest of the La Liga desk on Sunday as they stormed their strategy to a 4-0 romp in opposition to Actual Sociedad, the Spanish heavyweights are having fun with what has change into fairly the flurry. Likewise, successful all of their final 4 showdowns exterior of Catalonia by an mixture rating of 16-5, we might be handled to a different action-packed contest on Wednesday evening.
Verdict: Raphinha over 0.5 pictures on track
Finest Odds: 4/9
Bookmaker: Luckster