Barcelona vs. Benfica: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Barcelona have played Benfica on two occasions, both away from home, and beaten them both times this season. It feels like a huge uphill task for the Portuguese giants and psychologically, last week's loss against a side with ten men will have dented their confidence for this tie. Ultimately, the home side should have too much quality for Benfica. Barcelona 3-1 Benfica.

Barcelona are looking to book their place in the quarterfinals of the Champions League as they take on Benfica this week.

• Date: 11/03/2025
• Kick-off time: 17:45
• Location: Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, Barcelona

Barcelona emerged from Lisbon with a 1-0 first-leg lead in what was a very hard-fought result. The Blaugrana left themselves with everything to do when centre-back Pau Cubarsí was shown a straight red card after just 22 minutes. With their backs up against the wall, goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny made a series of impressive saves to keep them in the game, then midway through the second half, Raphinha pulled a fine low strike from distance out of his locker to steal the game for the visitors, as the Brazilian forward once again proved the difference maker for the Catalans.

By most accounts, Raphinha has been Barcelona’s player of the season and many have even tipped him to be part of the Ballon d’Or conversation. With 25 goals and 16 assists in all competitions, it’s hard to argue against the plaudits the Brazilian is receiving, and if he can fire Barcelona to their first Champions League trophy in a decade, he may very well be crowned with a Ballon d’Or.

There is, unfortunately, some very sad news surrounding the club as their game with Osasuna was postponed at the weekend following the sudden passing away of team doctor Carles Miñarro García at the team hotel just hours before the game. In what has been an almighty shock to everyone involved with the club, Barcelona will be hoping they can honour his memory with a fine result and performance on Tuesday night.

Benfica have it all to do in Catalonia this week as they attempt to turn around a 1-0 deficit away from home. The Portuguese giants will be kicking themselves for failing to get a result, as they won’t get a better opportunity to beat a side like Barcelona than on home soil against ten men. They now have to do things the hard way, and while it’s not impossible, it’s not likely either.

Benfica can take heart from the fact they’ve won four of their five Champions League games away from home this season, claiming strong results against Juventus and Monaco. Still, Barcelona are a completely different animal, and they’ll need the performance of a lifetime to book their place in the quarterfinals.

Benfica are in fine form in the league and have narrowed the gap to leaders Sporting CP, as they now sit level on points at the top of the table. They’re coming into this game off the back of a commanding win in the league, so with all the odds stacked against them, let’s see if they can pull off the unthinkable.

This game will be televised live to all subscribed viewers in the UK on TNT Sports 1.

Barcelona Team News:

Barcelona will be without Pau Cubarsi, who is unavailable through suspension.

They're also missing a few players through injury, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marc Bernal and Andreas Christensen all on the sidelines.

Predicted lineup: Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Martinez, Balde; De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Raphinha; Lewandowski.

Benfica Team News:

The visitors are missing Angel Di Maria, Tiago Gouveia, Manu and Alexander Bah, all of whom are out injured.

On top of that, left-back Alvaro Fernandez is unavailable through suspension.

Predicted lineup: Trubin; Araujo, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Barreiro, Aursnes, Kokcu; Aturkoglu, Pavlidis, Schjelderup.

Barcelona:

Barcelona are coming into this game in strong form, with four wins and one draw from their last five games. Hansi Flick's men took on Benfica last, winning 1-0, a result that followed a 4-0 win over Real Sociedad thanks to goals from Gerard Martin, Casado, Araujo and Lewandowski.

Before that, Barcelona drew 4-4 with Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey, with the goals coming from Pedri, Cubarsi, Martinez and Lewandowski, a result that followed a 2-0 win over Las Palmas - courtesy of goals from Olmo and Torres - and a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano, where Lewandowski scored from the spot.

Benfica:

Benfica are coming into this game with three wins, one draw and one loss from their last five matches. Last time out, the Portuguese side beat Nacional 3-0 thanks to goals from Amdouni, Kokcu and Pavlidis, a result that was preceded by the defeat to Barcelona.

Prior to that, Benfica beat Sporting Braga 1-0 through a goal from Pavlidis, a result that was preceded by 3-0 win over Boavista - thanks to goals from Belotti, Pavlidis and Kokcu - and a 3-3 draw with Monaco, courtesy of Aturkoglu, Pavlidis and Kokcu.

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