Benfica vs Bologna Prediction, Preview, Team News, and Lineups | UEFA Champions League, December 11, 2024
Benfica vs Bologna Preview
- Tournament: UEFA Champions League
- Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2024
- Time: 8:00 pm GMT
- Venue: Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica
Benfica will host Bologna in a potentially exciting UEFA Champions League clash on Wednesday, December 11.
Benfica have had a good Champions League campaign so far this season. They sit 14th in the table after five games with three wins and two draws. They are just one point behind the top 8, which will mean direct qualification to the knockout rounds. Teams between 9-24 will have to play a two-legged playoff to qualify.
That’s the range where Bologna are trying to finish in the table after a terrible start to their campaign. They are 33rd in the table with just one point after four defeats and one draw. They are five points behind the 24th spot and will likely need to win their remaining three games to qualify.
Bologna qualified for the Champions League for the first time in 60 years this season. However, unless they turn it around in the remaining three games, their stay in the competition could be short-lived.
Benfica Team News
Benfica are without Renato Sanches and Tiago Gouveia due to their respective injuries. While both players are expected to return soon, Thursday’s clash against Bologna might prove to be too early.
Bologna Team News
Bologna, meanwhile, are without Charalambos Lykogiannis, Michel Aebischer, Oussama El Azzouzi, and Riccardo Orsolini due to their respective injuries. All of them are expected to return later this month.
Predicted Lineups
Benfica predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):
Goalkeeper: Anatolii Trubin
Defenders: Alexander Bah, Tomas Araujo, Nicolas Otamendi, Alvaro Fernandez
Midfielders: Leandro Barreiro, Florentino Luis, Kerem Akturkoglu
Attackers: Angel Di Maria, Vaneglis Pavlidis, Fredrik Aursnes
Bologna predicted lineup (4-2-3-1):
Goalkeeper: Lukasz Skorupski
Defenders: Juan Miranda, Jhon Lucumi, Sam Beukema, Emil Holm
Midfielders: Remo Freuler, Tommaso Pobega, Jens Odgaard
Attackers: Benjamin Dominguez, Santiago Castro, Dan Ndoye
Benfica vs Bologna H2H Record
The two sides have never faced each other. It will be their first-ever meeting.
Key Players to watch in Benfica vs Bologna
Angel Di Maria
The Argentine legend has been an incredible ambassador for the game throughout his career across Europe. He has played for the likes of Real Madrid, PSG, and Manchester United and now plies his trade for Benfica.
Angel Di Maria has scored nine goals and contributed five assists in 18 games across competitions this season. One goal and two assists out of those have come in five Champions League appearances.
Di Maria has 41 assists in the Champions League and sits second on the all-time list. He is just one behind Cristiano Ronaldo and will be keen to break that record against Bologna at home on Wednesday.
Santiago Castro
With their top scorer, Riccardo Orsolini, out injured, Bologna will look towards Santiago Castro to help them in attack. The Argentine centre-forward has scored five goals and provided six assists in 20 games across competitions for the Italian side this season.
Castro is just 20 years old but has shown great attacking prowess and is Bologna’s top assist provider in Serie A this season. He recently provided 3 assists and scored a goal in their 4-0 win over Monza in the Coppa Italia Round of 16.
Castro has yet to open his account in the Champions League so far. With Orsolini injured, the Argentine will have a great opportunity to change that in a crucial game.
Benfica vs Bologna Prediction
While both sides are in different positions in the table, they both have goals to reach towards. While Benfica are looking to qualify in the top 8, Bologna are looking to stay alive in the competition.
Benfica has lost just once in their last nine games across competitions, winning the other eight. That defeat came against Bayern Munich and they have won five games in a row since. They beat AS Monaco 3-2 away in their last Champions League match.
Bologna, meanwhile, have two wins in their last five games across competitions with two defeats and one draw. They lost 2-1 against Lille at home in their last Champions League game but are unbeaten in their next three games across competitions.
A defeat for Bologna could potentially confirm their elimination from the competition with two games remaining. However, given their form and injuries coupled with Benfica’s form, it appears unlikely they will be able to get a positive result on Wednesday.
Predicted Score: Benfica 2-0 Bologna
Where to watch Benfica vs Bologna Live?
| Country | Where to Watch |
| USA | CBS Sports |
| UK | TNT Sports |
| India | Sony Liv |
FAQs
Q. When is Benfica vs Bologna?
A. It’s on Wednesday (December 11) at 8:00 pm GMT at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica
Q. Where to watch Benfica vs Bologna for free?
A. Soccerstreams, Footybite, etc.
Q. What is the predicted score for Benfica vs Bologna?
A. The predicted score is Benfica 2-0 Bologna
Q. What is the head-to-heard record for Benfica vs Bologna?
A. This will be their first-ever meeting.