Benfica vs Barcelona Prediction & Betting Tips (21 January)

Benfica holds its place within the top 3 in Portugal but does not remain in the form of its life as evidenced by its two defeats between the end of 2024 and the first match of the new year through the championship against Sporting 1-0, and Braga at home 1-2. However, Angel Di Maria's partners did not have to wait long to take their revenge as four days later, they beat Braga in the semi-final of the League Cup, at home once again 3- 0. Furthermore, the final was played on the weekend of January 11 against Sporting, in order to have a possible revenge for their defeat in the championship to follow. To talk about the Champions League, the Eagles are only one victory behind the top 8 and can therefore have ambition for direct qualification for the round of 16. On the other hand, their last result is not favorable since they reached a parity score with Bologna, a club without any victory in C1 and which only scored a small goal in the competition 0-0. Opposite, Barça suffered in the league by losing its leading position after having been nine lengths ahead of Real Madrid and more than Atlético after the victory in the Clasico last October.

At the start of the calendar year, the Barcelona players played in the Spanish Supercopa and qualified for the final by beating Athletic Bilbao in the semi-final 2-0. We will now see if the Culers will have recovered their holy grail left in the hands of the Merengue last year to follow. In the Champions League, Hansi Flick's men are beating the competition and are runners-up to Liverpool, three points behind. It must be said that missteps are rare within the big-eared cup with notably two successes against the Bavarians 4-1, and the finalist of the last edition, Borussia Dortmund 2-3, in a spectacular encounter. A little thought for the Brestois who also fell to Barcelona in this phase of the league victory 3-0.

Injured for a few weeks now, Tiago Gouveia should not take part in this game, unlike Renato Sanches who returned to competition at the start of the year. It is therefore an almost complete group which should welcome the great Barça with in particular a former Madrid player, Angel Di Maria (6 goals, 3 assists in the league), author of a double in the semi-final of the Coupe de la League. Let's not forget the Greek international Pavlidis, 4 goals, 2 goals in the elite), or the Turkish international Kerem Akturkoglu (3 goals in the Champions League).  At Barça, Joan Laporta managed to include Dani Olmo and Pau Victor in the qualifying lists of the Spanish league and will therefore be eligible to participate in this Champions League.

Incredible scenario all the same since we are talking about a temporary license granted by the CSD. Among the absences, Ter Stegen and Marc Bernal, suffering from cruciate ligaments, will probably be out until the end of the season and Andreas Christensen has still not returned from injury (uncertain). The two top scorers in the C1 this season are from the Catalan ranks with Robert Lewandowski (7 goals) and Brazilian international Raphinha (6 goals + 3 assists).