SL Benfica vs FC Barcelona Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News| UEFA Champions League, January 21, 2025

SL Benfica vs FC Barcelona Preview

• Tournament: UEFA Champions League
• Date: Tuesday, January 21
• Kick-off Time: 08:00 PM GMT
• Venue: Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Lisbon, Portugal. 

Since this appears to be a perfect season for FC Barcelona to seek revenge against all sides that humiliated them recently, the SL Benfica vs FC Barcelona game can be a golden opportunity for the Cules to thrive. The Spanish giants did not just beat Bayern Munich and Real Madrid this season, they humiliated them. Now if they win against SL Benfica, they will serve revenge cold, against the Portuguese side who disrupted their chance of play-offs in the UEFA Champions League 2021-22.

SL Benfica have had a fairly inconsistent run in the Champions League this time. In their six games, they won three, lost two, and drew one to rank 15th in the league phase with 10 points. A win here would help them rise the ladder and improve their chances of being in the knock-outs, but a bad loss can truly risk their fate here.

FC Barcelona have been the best side after Liverpool FC in UCL 2024-25. After a shocking loss against AS Monaco, they won all their last five games, and have 15 points in six games, ranking second. The side is already guaranteed a top 24 spot, a win here will let them have the top 8 spot at grasp. To be honest, it looks like only a matter of time before Barca book their seat in the Round of 16.

SL Benfica Team News

SL Benfica are expected to miss three of their players in this vital game: Tiago Gouveia and Renato Sanches, are confirmed to miss the game. Legend Angel Di Maria is also doubtful for the fixture, raising concerns about Bruno Lage, the head coach.

FC Barcelona Team News

FC Barcelona continue to have a list of injuries: Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Marc Bernal are out for a long. Inigo Martinez and Dani Olmo are the freshest exclusions, all out for injury. Hansi Flick should however feel okay with the available players, as he has been out with way fewer names.

Also Read: AC Milan vs Girona Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | Champions League, January 22, 2025

SL Benfica vs FC Barcelona Predicted Lineups

SL Benfica Predicted Lineup:

Goalkeeper: Trubin

Defenders: Bah, Araujo, Otamendi, Fernandez

Midfielders: Aursnes, Florentino, Kokcu

Forwards: Amdouni, Pavlidis, Akturkoglu

FC Barcelona Predicted Lineup:

Goalkeeper: Pena

Defenders: Kounde, Araujo, Cubarsi, Balde

Midfielders: Casado, Pedri; Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha

Forwards: Lewandowski

SL Benfica vs FC Barcelona H2H Record

SL Benfica and FC Barcelona have played a total of six games in the past. SL Benfica have won one game, FC Barcelona have won two. While the remaining three ended as draws. Hosts SL Benfica have been the better side in the last three games.

Key Players to Watch in SL Benfica vs FC Barcelona

Vangelis Pavlidis (SL Benfica)

The striker has had poor form throughout the season. In 18 league games, he has four goals and three assists only. In the UCL he fares even poorly, with only a goal in six games. With a goal participation rate of 20% in the UCL and 17% in the league, he surely will be having the pressure to up his game. In his last five matches, the stats are no better with a total xG of 0.38. Looks impossible, but goals against one of the best in Europe like FC Barcelona can be good to boost his confidence.

Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona)

Lewandowski was having a great season this time at Barca. If we speak about the overall stats, he is still having a good one, with seven goals in six UCL games, 16 goals, and two assists in 19 La Liga games. But now the legend seems to lose his form. He has just a goal in his past five league games, with a mere xG of 3.52 and xA of 0.38. He needs some goals to skyrocket his morale, and a UCL game like this seems to be a perfect platform.

SL Benfica vs FC Barcelona Prediction

FC Barcelona hails a much stronger squad, but this doesn’t rule out SL Benfica from this game, as they came strong against the Spanish side in the past few instances. But, seeing Barca’s win rate in the ongoing Champions League, it is expected that they will have an easy away win.

Predicted Score: SL Benfica 1-3 FC Barcelona

Also Read: Shakhtar vs Brest Prediction, Preview, Predicted Lineups and Team News | UEFA Champions League, January 22, 2025

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