Benfica – Inter : Preview & Prediction
The 2-1 loss to Porto in Primeira Liga action on Friday represented a missed opportunity for table-toppers Benfica, who had the chance to open up an almost unassailable lead at the top of the standings. They must now forget about their domestic slip-up and focus their attention on the UEFA Champions League (UCL), where they will try to extend their impressive home record against Italian clubs (G7, E4, P3) when they host Inter Milan.
Getting a first leg advantage in this quarterfinal tie will likely be key to Benfica’s chances of progression, and the “Eagles” are in a position to do so after losing just three of their last 25 European home games (G16, E6). They suffered one such defeat at this same stage of last season’s UCL, and to add further uncertainty, Benfica have failed to advance out of any of their five quarter-final ties in the UCL era.
For 2010 UCL champions Inter, their record at this stage of the UCL era is equally uninspiring, having lost four of their six quarter-final appearances. There is also little consolation to be sought in their domestic soccer after drawing 1-1 against Salernitana on Friday, ensuring they remain outside the top four in Serie A while going through a four-game winless streak in the league (E1, P3).
However, Inter did something that Benfica could not do on Friday, and that was beat Porto, as the Italian giants eliminated the Portuguese side in the Round of 16. Victory in that tie came courtesy of a home win, and Inter will likely need another similar result next week in Milan if they are to advance to the next round, as they have just one away win over Portuguese opposition in their history (E5, P4).
Players to watch: Benfica’s João Mário has scored in five consecutive UCL matches, and in four he scored via penalty kicks, although he is a long way off the UCL record of 11 consecutive goal appearances set by Cristiano Ronaldo. One player who usually performs in away form is Lautaro Martinez, who has scored seven of his eight UCL goals on rival soil – he is one goal away from becoming Inter’s top scorer away from home in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League.
Key stat: Five of Inter’s last six away games in all competitions have ended with fewer than 2.5 goals in total.
Benfica – Inter : Betting Tips
Benfica – Win Odds: 2.25
