Real Sociedad – Benfica : Preview & Prediction
Real Sociedad are joint leaders of Group D with Inter Milan, with a comfortable 4-point lead over 3rd-placed Red Bull Salzburg and a 7-point lead over bottom-placed Benfica. The Basque club, who won in Portugal (0-1) thanks to a Brais Mendez strike, remain unbeaten in this C1 and are aiming for another victory to move a step closer to qualification for the 1/8th finals. The current 7th-placed team in La Liga suffered their first home defeat this weekend since February 5. The Basques lost to FC Barcelona in injury time (90th+2) on November 4, ending their run of 4 matches without defeat (3 wins and 1 draw). Since losing the first leg, Benfica, Sporting CP’s current runners-up, have been held 1-1 at home by Casa Pia, before back-to-back away wins at Arouca (0-2) in the League Cup and at Chaves (0-2) on Saturday in the 10th round of the Portuguese championship. Defeated in the first 3 rounds by Salzburg (0-2), Inter Milan (1-0) and Real Sociedad (0-1), the Lisbon club have no illusions about the return leg.
Real Sociedad won the first leg 1-0.
Benfica have won just 2 of their last 4 matches in all competitions.
Real Sociedad have lost just 1 of their last 18 matches in all competitions.
The Portuguese club scored no goals in the Champions League group phase.
Real Sociedad have the best defensive record in Group D, conceding just 1 goal after 3 matches.
Real Sociedad – Benfica : Betting Tips
Real Sociedad – Win Odds: 2.25
