Benfica vs Bologna Prediction & Betting Tips (11 December)

A serious campaign is to the credit of Benfica, 14th in the ranking with a record of 3 wins and 2 defeats. Two weeks ago, the Lisbon club bounced back on the European scene by winning in Monaco 2-3 , to forget their defeats during the 3rd and 4th days of the league phase. It is well positioned in the race for qualification, the 25th and first eliminated club being 5 points behind. The club's objective in this final stretch of the league phase will be to enter a top 8 which is only one point away from its balance sheet, in order to qualify directly for the round of 16 of the C1. Benfica is 3rd in the national exercise behind Sporting and Porto. Since his victory in Monaco, the Portuguese vice-champion traveled to the poorly ranked Arouca and hosted Guimarães on Saturday. Bologna's dream qualification for the Champions League turned into an obstacle course. The Rossoblu signed an opening draw against Shakhtar 0-0, on September 18, before stringing together 4 defeats.

They are positioned in 33rd place in the ranking, 5 lengths from 24th place, the last offering a ticket for the play-offs. Flawless results are hoped for by the entire club over the 3 remaining matches. However, this may not be enough if the teams in the race for qualification also achieve good results. Bologna are the last team in the competition to score their first goal. The Serie A residents waited until the 5th day against Lille, defeated 1-2 , to unlock their counter in the offensive sector. In the championship, the Bolognese achieved several good results before the November break to move back into the standings. They are 8th before receiving Venice and going to Turin on Saturday to challenge Juventus. 

For Benfica, the club's child Sanches, on loan from PSG and very often impacted by injuries, should certainly still withdraw as was the case two weeks ago in Monaco. It remains to be seen whether German full-back Beste (substitute) and little-used attackers Prestianni and Gouveia will recover from their respective injuries. No Benfica player has been suspended in this campaign but the starters Carreras (left side) and Aursnes (midfield) will receive this sanction if they receive a yellow card this Wednesday. Aktürkoglu is the club's top scorer in C1 with his 3 goals. However, the Turk did not score in Monaco where the illustrious Di Maria provided 2 assists. The Argentinian, very good on the pitch and author of 9 goals and 5 goals in all competitions, does not look his 36 years. Bologna still has to cope without midfielder Aebischer, injured and absent from the field for two months.

Moroccan winger El Azzouzi, still out of action, has not yet played in this exercise. His absence is still confirmed this Wednesday, as is that of striker Cambiaghi, victim of a serious injury in August. The Swede Karlsson, author of a goal in Serie A but in substitute status, is uncertain after having had to withdraw the previous day against Lille. The only goal scored in the competition was attributed to starting central defender Lucumi. The offensive players Orsolini, Dallinga and Ndoye in turn intend to shake the nets. The first city has scored five times in Serie A when its friends, passing through Toulouse and Nice respectively, have still not found the net since the start of the season.