Verdict: Barcelona win & Below 4.5 objectives

Finest Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Luckster

Trying to end off the job and punch their Champions League quarter-final spot, Barcelona will welcome Benfica to Catalonia on Tuesday night.

Barcelona

Beginning with the hosts, ultimately leaving Lisbon with a first-leg 1-0 victory, Barcelona are having fun with what has grow to be a sensational flurry since opening the New Yr. Nonetheless main the chase on the high of the La Liga desk, Hansi Flick’s facet discover the temper of their camp at a red-hot excessive. Getting March underway with a stellar 4-0 romp towards Actual Sociedad, the previous Bayern Munich boss has seen his squad achieve a string of plaudits. With many billing the Spanish giants as a possible Champions League contender this season, Barcelona are unbeaten in all of their final 16 consecutive appearances throughout all competitions. Topped Tremendous Cup champions on January twelfth following a well-known 5-2 victory towards arch-rivals Actual Madrid, Flick’s facet will probably be trying to lay down one other European marker on Tuesday night.

Barcelona Group Information

Proven a first-leg purple card over in Portugal final week, budding defending star Pau Cubarsi will miss out by means of suspension right here. Struggling one more damage setback, Barcelona have already confirmed that ex-Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen will miss out on Tuesday night.

Bagging the winner in Lisbon final week and now notching 9 objectives in as many Champions League appearances, former Leeds talisman Raphinha will play a number one function. Placing in a sensational first-leg efficiency, veteran goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny will begin between the sticks.

Benfica

As for the guests, lacking out on the possibility to say an important first-leg benefit final week, Benfica journey to Catalonia on Tuesday night dealing with an actual uphill battle. However, asking some actual query of Barcelona, Bruno Lage’s facet claimed a right away response over the weekend. Breezing their strategy to a routine 3-0 victory towards Nacional, solely their aim distinction presently retains them off the highest of the Primeira Liga desk. Regardless of being pencilled in as a landslide underdog right here, the previous Wolves boss has seen his squad proceed to shine with their success away from the Estadio da Luz. Together with what was a shock 2-0 victory towards Juventus, Benfica have gained all of their final 4 straight showdowns by an combination rating of 7-2. Likewise, Lage’s facet have gained six of their seven matchups exterior of Lisbon since opening the New Yr.

Benfica Group Information

Lacking out in Lisbon final week, Benfica are as soon as once more sweating over the health of former Actual Madrid celebrity Angel Di Maria. Struggling a long-term knee damage towards Moreirense final month, Lage’s facet have already confirmed that Danish defender Alexander Bah will miss the rest of the season.

Having fun with what has grow to be an actual purple patch and notching 12 objectives in as many appearances, the red-hot Vangelis Pavlidis will lead Benfica’s cost in Catalonia. Former Manchester Metropolis defender Nicolas Otamendi will associate 21-year-old Antonio Silva on the coronary heart of Lage’s defence.

Barcelona vs Benfica Key Elements to Think about

• When Barcelona and Benfica met for his or her first-leg showdown in Lisbon final week, Flick’s facet collected a 1-0 victory.
• Barca are unbeaten in all of their earlier 16 consecutive appearances throughout all competitions.
• Benfica have gained their final 4 matchups away from the Estadio da Luz by an combination rating of 7-2.
• Likewise, the Portuguese giants have gained six of their seven away fixtures since opening the New Yr.
• Brazilian worldwide Raphinha has recorded 9 objectives in as many Champions League appearances this season.

Conclusion

Dragging themselves to a 1-0 victory in Lisbon final week and clinching what might be a vital first-leg benefit, Barcelona will probably be determined to make one other European assertion right here. Having fun with what has grow to be a sensational flurry since opening the New Yr, Flick’s facet discover themselves pencilled in as a landslide contender on Tuesday night. Nonetheless, regardless of leaving Lisbon with a first-leg lead, Benfica greater than held their very own for big spells and are able to asking some actual questions. Whereas Barca ought to formally wrap up their quarter-final ticket in Catalonia, they might be set for an additional difficult contest.

Verdict: Barcelona win & Below 4.5 objectives

Finest Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Luckster