Benfica vs Liverpool Predictions and Betting Tips
The Estadio da Luz is the stage for this highly-anticipated encounter as shock quarterfinals Benfica take on Liverpool this Tuesday. Read on for our expert tips and predictions.
The most recent encounter between both sides was in the 2009/2010 Europa League campaign when we saw Liverpool secure a 5-3 aggregate victory in the quarterfinals. Would we see history repeat itself yet again ?
A somewhat easy draw for the Reds
Having failed to secure an advantage against Ajax in the first leg at the Estadio da Luz, the trip to the Netherlands was expected to be a hard one for Benfica given Ajax's form on home soil. Still and all, they were solid all-round and when the chance came, Darwin Nunez headed home the only goal of the game to send his team to the quarterfinals. The Uruguayan forward was on target for the Eagles last Friday but his penalty wasn't enough to make sure of all three points as Braga grabbed all the spoils in a 3-2 victory. This put an end to their nine-game unbeaten run in all competitions- not exactly an ideal circumstance given that Liverpool visits Portugal this Tuesday. Nonetheless, they've won their last six games on home soil in the Champions League and it is then left to see whether they can use this as a platform for victory as they look towards a semifinals berth since the chance of the Champions League format.
Liverpool's 2-0 win at the San Siro put them in a favourable position heading into the second leg in Merseyside and although the Nerrazzuri did grab the lead in the second leg, an Alexis Sanchez red card all but sealed their fate. The Reds were still on the losing end in the second leg having failed to reply to Lautaro Martinez's opener- the first time they've drawn blanks in the Champions League this season. The Reds' push for a quadruple is still on and for about two hours, they were at the summit of the standings courtesy of a 2-0 victory against Watford before the Cityzens reclaimed the top spot in the English top-flight. They face the Cityzens twice in their next four games- same with this Tuesday's opponents and it is then left to see exactly what state they're at after these games quadruple-wise.
Benfica vs Liverpool Team News
Benfica possible starting XI:
Vlachodimos; Gilberto, Otamendi, Vertonghen, Grimaldo; Silva, Mario, Weigl, Everton; Nunez, Yaremchuk
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Thiago; Jota, Mane, Diaz
Benfica vs Liverpool Prediction: 1-2
Benfica have pulled way above their own weight to reach this stage and although the odds are firmly against them, they would be fairly confident of at least getting a result in Portugal. However, Liverpool would be much harder to tame and as such, we're backing the Reds to come away with a win.
