Barcelona vs Benfica Prediction & Betting Tips (11 March)

Back at a very good level under the orders of Hansi Flick this season, Barcelona easily composed his ticket for the 8th finals of the Champions League by winning 2nd place in the ranking. Carried by the most important offensive striking force in the competition, the Blaugranas remained intractable at home 3 victories and 1 draw with in particular a convincing success acquired against Bayern Munich 4-1. Last week, they took a good option on qualification for the quarter-finals by winning in the lair of Benfica 0-1. However, the task was made difficult by the exclusion of Pau Cubarsi from the 22nd minute. Banked by the LisBoets, the Catalans were able to count on the porter Szczesny who produced several high -level parades. They forced the decision thanks to a goal from the inevitable Raphinha at the time of play, which allows them to approach this return match with confidence. On the national scene, Barcelona is engaged in a three -way fight for the title in Liga. Lamine Yamal teammates have experienced an empty passage but have found the right fuel for a few weeks. After chaining 6 victories in a row, they received Osasuna last weekend to come. Battu at home by Barça last Wednesday 0-1, Benfica can feed big regrets with regard to the physiognomy of the match.

Indeed, Nicolas Otamendi's partners took advantage of opposing numerical inferiority to dominate the debates. Unfortunately, they came across a large goalkeeper and were punished with their ineffectiveness in front of the goal. 16th at the end of the league phase, Benfica was forced to go through the dams to access the 8th finals. Opposed to Monaco, the protégés of Bruno Lage logically won to Louis II 0-1. On the other hand, they did not go far from the elimination on the return and can even consider themselves happy to have passed 3-3. In the championship, Benfica is currently 2nd in the ranking and counts, with a less match, 3 points behind the leader. The lisbotes are on the rise at the moment and seem to be completely able to win the title. Last weekend, they received the Nacional to come to try to sign a 5th victory in a row.

Barcelona must obviously do without his titular defender Cubarsi, who was expelled for a fault as the last defender on the outward journey. To this are added the plans of goalkeeper n ° 1 Ter Stegen, the defender replacing Christensen and the young midfielder Marc Bernal. To compensate for the suspension of Cubarsi, Hansi Flick should integrate Araujo into a central hinge. Excellent in Lisbon, the experienced Polish goalkeeper Szczesny showed why he had signed in Barcelona. On a cloud this season, Captain Raphinha (9 goals and 5 passes in C1, 13 goals and 7 passes in Liga) scored the goal of victory against Benfica. It forms an offensive trio explosive with the Lamine Yamal nugget (2 goals and 2 C1 passes, 5 goals and 11 Liga passes) and the Lewandowski stainless (9 C1, 21 goals in Liga). In support, could take place the playmaker Dani Olmo who was sacrificed to reorganize the team after the red card last week. In the midfield, Pedri engineering is associated with the Dutch international in Jong.

 Several elements are missing for Benfica this week. This is particularly the case for legend Di Maria (37, 7 goals and 3 championship passes) which is still forced to declare. We also find at the infirmary the Florentino Luis frame midfielder, the side holder Bah, the winter recruit Manu and the longtime absent Tiago Gouveia. In addition, the winger who arrived at the club in January, Bruma, is not registered for the Champions League. The first leg was however marked by the return to the land of former Parisian Renato Sanches. In the offensive sector, should take place the Greek Pavlidis (7 goals and 2 C1 passes, 8 goals and 4 passes in the league) and the Turk Aktürkoglu (4 goals in C1, 6 goals and 7 passes in the championship) which play a major role in this training. The least effective Schjelderup (1 goal and 2 championship passes) could still accompany them. 

• Summary: Barcelona is going head to head with Benfica starting on 11 Mar 2025 at 17:45 UTC at Olímpic Lluís Companys stadium, Barcelona city, Spain. The match is a part of the UEFA Champions League, Knockout Phase .
• Barcelona Feedinco Rating: 7.08
• Benfica Feedinco Rating: 6.95