Barcelona vs. Benfica: Prediction, Team News & Lineups | Mar 11, 2025

Barcelona defend a narrow lead against Benfica in the Champions League last-16 second leg.

🔹 Barcelona won the first leg 1-0 despite playing 70 minutes with 10 men.
🔹 Benfica must win to keep their UCL hopes alive.
🔹 Can the Blaugrana reach the quarter-finals for a second consecutive season?

⚡ Interesting Fact:

Barcelona have never lost to Benfica at home, keeping clean sheets in their last three meetings.

🧐 Team Analysis

❤️ Barcelona

Barcelona are in top form, unbeaten in 16 competitive games since December. They are determined to secure back-to-back Champions League quarter-final appearances.

📊 Current Form:
🏆 Last 5 matches: W4, D1, L0
⚽ Last match: 1-0 win vs. Benfica (A)

🔥 Key Players:
Robert Lewandowski – A key goal threat returning from minor discomfort.
Raphinha – Scored the first-leg winner, in strong attacking form.
Frenkie de Jong – Controls Barcelona’s midfield and sets the tempo.

🚑 Injuries & Suspensions:
❌ Andreas Christensen (calf), Marc Bernal (knee), Marc-Andre ter Stegen (knee), Pau Cubarsi (suspended)

🏟 Home Form (Champions League):
📌 Played: 3
✅ Wins: 2
🤝 Draws: 1
❌ Losses: 0

⚫ Benfica

Benfica are on a five-game winning streak in the Primeira Liga but need to overturn a 1-0 deficit to advance.

📊 Current Form:
🏆 Last 5 matches: W4, L1
⚽ Last match: 3-0 win vs. Nacional (A)

🔥 Key Players:
Vangelis Pavlidis – Benfica’s top scorer this season, in great form.
Orkun Kokcu – Controls the midfield and provides creativity.
Kerem Akturkoglu – A consistent goal threat in the UCL.

🚑 Injuries & Suspensions:
❌ Angel Di Maria (injury), Alexander Bah (knee), Manu Silva (injury), Tiago Gouveia (injury), Alvaro Carreras (suspended), Bruma (ineligible)

🚀 Away Form (Champions League):
📌 Played: 4
✅ Wins: 3
❌ Losses: 1

📊 Head-to-Head & Past Encounters

✅ Barcelona 1-0 Benfica – Mar 2025, Champions League
✅ Barcelona 5-4 Benfica – Jan 2025, Champions League
🤝 Benfica 0-0 Barcelona – Sep 2021, Champions League
✅ Barcelona 2-0 Benfica – Nov 2012, Champions League

🔹 Key Stats:

• Barcelona are unbeaten in all home games vs. Benfica.
• Benfica have won just two of their last 13 European games in Spain.
• Barcelona have scored 3+ goals in five of their last seven home games.

🔮 Prediction

⚽ Goal.mu/Mauri.bet predicts: Barcelona 2-0 Benfica

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Barcelona’s defensive solidity and home advantage should see them through. Benfica have been strong on the road, but Barcelona’s firepower could prove decisive.

💰 Betting Tips

📌 Both Teams to Score: No
✅ Barcelona have kept clean sheets in their last three home games vs. Benfica.

📌 Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over 2.5 Goals
✅ Barcelona have scored 3+ goals in five of their last seven home games.

📌 Anytime Goalscorer: Robert Lewandowski
✅ If fit, Lewandowski will be Barcelona’s focal point in attack.

📌 Half-Time Result: Barcelona to Lead (1-0)
✅ Barcelona have scored inside 30 minutes in seven of their last nine home matches.

📝 Possible Lineups

❤️ Barcelona (4-3-3):
🧤 Szczesny
🛡️ Kounde, Araujo, Martinez, Balde
⚡ Olmo, De Jong, Pedri
🔥 Yamal, Raphinha, Lewandowski

⚫ Benfica (4-3-3):
🧤 Trubin
🛡️ Santos, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl
⚡ Aursnes, Barreiro, Kokcu
🔥 Akturkoglu, Schjelderup, Pavlidis

📅 Match Details

📅 Match Date: March 11, 2025
🏟 Venue: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona
⏰ Kickoff Time: 5:45 PM UK Time

Final Verdict: Can Barcelona Secure a Quarter-Final Spot?

Barcelona are favourites to progress, but Benfica’s resilience on the road means this tie is not over. Can Robert Lewandowski inspire the Blaugrana, or will Benfica pull off a shock comeback? Drop your predictions below! 🔥⚽

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