Benfica – Liverpool : Preview & Prediction
Benfica, third in the Liga Sagres, suffered their fifth league defeat at Sporting Braga (3-2) on Friday evening, and clearly did not prepare in the best possible way for the reception of Liverpool on Tuesday. The Portuguese club achieved a real feat by qualifying for the quarter-finals at Ajax Amsterdam (0-1, Nunez goal) after having held the Dutch side to a 2-2 draw in the first leg. The Portuguese came from behind twice but had the resources to come back each time. It was the second time that the Lisbon club lost points at the Estadio da Luz after the visit of Bayern Munich (4-0) on 20 October. Without the injured Taarabt, Benfica will be able to rely on midfielder Rafa Silva (eight league goals) and top scorer Darwin Nunez (21 goals in 23 Liga Sagres games). The Uruguayan striker has already scored four goals in eight Champions League games this season. The English centre-back, Matip and Van Dijk, will be looking to muzzle the Portuguese club’s best player… The Reds’ defence has impressed in recent weeks, having gone four games without conceding a goal. Mohamed Salah’s team, scorer of eight goals in the Champions League, have just triumphed at Brighton (2-0), Arsenal (2-0), Nottingham (1-0) in the FA Cup and at Watford (2-0) this weekend. Manchester City’s runners-up have had an exceptional run on the European stage, as Inter are the only team to have beaten the English team, and they did so at Anfield Road (0-1). The English side have won all their away games in this competition, namely at Porto (5-1), Atlético Madrid (3-2), AC Milan (2-1) and Inter Milan (2-0). The Reds are travelling with a full squad, with only Naby Keita still in doubt. Liverpool’s second trip to Portugal this season was a delight, with a comprehensive 1-5 win at Portuguese league leaders FC Porto. Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino each scored twice, and Sadio Mané also scored, to help the Reds win the game. The three players will be expected to shine again in the warm atmosphere of the Estadio de la Luz as they lead their team to victory. There is a good chance that the more experienced and talented English side will take a scoring advantage into the second leg at Anfield Road on 13 April.
Benfica have won just 3 of their 8 C1 games.
Liverpool have won 7 of their 8 European games this season.
Benfica are coming off a 3-2 defeat at Sporting Braga on 1 April.
Liverpool have won their last 4 games, including the Premier League and FA Cup.
Liverpool, with the winning culture instilled by German coach Klopp, should continue their good run of form on Portuguese soil. The Reds, who have won at the big clubs (Porto, Atletico Madrid, Milan, Inter Milan), have the means to beat the Lisbon club at the Estadio de la Luz!
Benfica – Liverpool : Betting Tips
OVER 3.5 GOALS Odds: 2.25
