Benfica vs Barcelona Odds & Prediction – Champions League Group Stage Matchday 2

• Benfica and Barcelona matchup in Champions League Group Stage Matchday 2
• Barcelona was outclassed by Bayern on Matchday 1 while Benfica was held to a goalless draw by Dynamo Kyiv
• Read below for the latest odds, betting preview and a pick

Wednesday, September, 28th sees Matchday 2 of Group E in the Champions League. Barcelona makes the short trip to Lisbon to face Benfica. It’s the first time these teams have met since 2012 when Barca won 2-0 at Estádio de Luz.

This is a massive game for both sides. Barcelona needs to bounce back after a heavy Matchday 1 defeat to Bayern. Benfica will have been disappointed to draw with Dynamo Kyiv, and know that this match is almost must win if they are to finish in the top two. The demise of Barcelona has been well-documented, and how far they have fallen is only emphasized further with their odds for this match. They are only narrow favorites against a Benfica team who haven’t made the knockout stages of the Champions League since 2016-17.

Benfica vs Barcelona Odds

Odds as of Sep 28 at DraftKings

Benfica’s Fortress

Despite failing to score in their last two Champions League contests, Benfica will be full of confidence on Wednesday. They have a 100% record through seven matchdays in the Portuguese top flight and they have won five of their last six Champions League matches at the iconic Estádio de Luz.

🗣️ [@EduPolo] | Frenkie De Jong will most likely replace Nico in the midfield for the Benfica game. It remains to be seen whether Koeman bets on Gavi or Roberto in the middle of the field. Araujo would return to the starting XI. Ansu Fati is not yet ready to be a starter. pic.twitter.com/ctAse7TPIt

— BarçaTimes (@BarcaTimes) September 28, 2021

The hosts also have the benefit of facing a Barcelona team on the cusp of disarray. A 3-0 win over Levante at the weekend has briefly eased the pressure on Ronald Koeman, but the former Everton manager cannot afford a defeat on Wednesday. Financial problems and injuries have left the Catalan giants with a depleted squad for the trip west.

Pedri, Ousmane Dembele, Sergio Aguero and Jordi Alba are all ruled out, while Ansu Fati is not ready to start despite scoring at the weekend. We’ll see a makeshift Barcelona XI in Portugal.

💪 The face says it all: Yaremchuk is the Man of the Match!#VSCSLB #WeAreBenfica #CHUKDAY pic.twitter.com/1TsTRkxw6k

— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) September 25, 2021

Although Haris Seferovic is sidelined, Jorge Jesus will have a much easier time picking his team. Summer signing Roman Yaremchuk bagged a brace at the weekend, and Lucas Verissimo is available after missing Matchday 1 through suspension.

Barca’s Low Confidence

Beating Levante was a boost for the Camp Nou morale. Picking up three points against a winless La Liga opponent doesn’t say a great deal about Barcelona for this match, though.

More than a Team! 💙❤️#MondayMotivation pic.twitter.com/EKIgZUOeGF

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 27, 2021

Although Champions League success hasn’t been common for Benfica in recent years, the Estádio de Luz is always a difficult place to visit. Barcelona hasn’t conceded in their last four matches against Benfica, but given how infrequently these teams meet, that doesn’t impact how bettors should look at Wednesday’s contest. The 2006 and 2012 Barcelona teams are incomparable to the 2021 iteration.

These teams are relatively well-matched on paper. Barcelona still has the edge on talent, but it’s much closer than in previous meetings between these sides. Factor in the contrasting seasons to date, and this should be a very tight match.

Benfica vs Barcelona Statistics

Benfica vs Barcelona Best Bet

Barcelona scored four goals in five matches prior to their win over Levante. Benfica have conceded just three goals in their last seven outings. There’s value on Barcelona to fail to score at +265.

Benfica have scored two or more in their last five home matches, including wins over PSV and Spartak Moscow in Champions League qualifying. Over 1.5 home goals is priced at +130 with DraftKings.

The hosts to win to nil is going to tempt some bettors at +390 given Barcelona’s recent struggles in front of goal. Benfica to win either half at -115 is a better option, though. Jorge Jesus’ side are going to be very competitive in this one.

Pick: Benfica to win either half (-115)