Juventus and Benfica will conclude the Champions League league phase against one another this week.
Juventus vs Benfica best bets
- Benfica or draw – 4/6 with Betfred
- Draw at half-time – 23/20 with Midnite
- Angel Di Maria to score any time – 9/2 with Tote
Juventus vs Benfica odds
Find the latest match odds for Juventus vs Benfica. All odds are provided by our best football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.
Juventus vs Benfica predictions
The old group stage system had grown stale, and while there was an understandable degree of scepticism about the so-called ‘Swiss model’, UEFA must now feel vindicated by their decision to make the change.
Given that only nine teams have had their fate decided before matchday eight, the best of the new 36-team arrangement lies in store on Wednesday.
Liverpool and Barcelona are through to the round of 16, while Bologna, Sparta Prague, RB Leipzig, Girona, Red Star Belgrade, Sturm Graz, Red Bull Salzburg, Slovan Bratislava and Young Boys have been eliminated already.
Juventus and Benfica are two of 27 clubs with something to play for. The Italian outfit are 17th in the standings at present. A win here could potentially see them secure a top-eight finish, which would allow them to proceed directly to the round of 16, but there are numerous teams in a better position than Thiago Motta’s men right now.
Benfica have 10 points to their name compared to 12 for Juve. The top eight is out of the reach of the Portuguese giants, but they are not guaranteed a play-off place. A draw in Turin would be enough to send Benfica through, but a defeat would leave them sweating.
The stakes are high for these two teams, then, and we should expect both Thiago Motta and Bruno Lage to target a victory on Wednesday.
Despite being unbeaten back home until the weekend, the Serie A title is no longer a realistic target for Juventus, who may consequently put all their eggs in the European basket.
The Bianconeri won their first two Champions League outings this term, overcoming PSV and RB Leipzig, since when they have registered one more victory, three draws and a defeat.
Benfica were involved in one of the games of the season last week, as they suffered a dramatic 5-4 home defeat by Barcelona. Lage’s charges blew 3-1 and 4-2 leads in that game, leaving their participation in the tournament in the balance heading into matchday eight.
Juventus vs Benfica betting tips
Will Juventus or Benfica emerge triumphant at the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday evening?
Benfica or draw
Juventus finally lost their first match of the Serie A season last time out, going down 2-1 to Antonio Conte’s Napoli.
Thiago Motta’s team were also defeated by AC Milan in the Italian Supercoppa earlier this month, so those two results will give Benfica a degree of confidence.
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Juve are the draw specialists in Italy’s top flight, where 13 of their 22 encounters have finished with the score level. As for the Champions League, no one has drawn as many games (three) as the Old Lady.
With all that in mind, a draw is the obvious pick for Wednesday’s game, not least because that result would suit Benfica too.
If you want to hedge your bets, the double chance market is your best bet.
Tip a Benfica win or a draw at 4/6 with Betfred
Draw at half-time
For all that we expect them to get what they need, Benfica’s position is not entirely straightforward.
When a team only needs a draw from a certain game, they can sometimes be caught in two minds. A must-win situation, for all its risk, provides clarity.
The good news is that Juventus are not an especially high-tempo team. They will look to control possession in the first half and Benfica will be happy enough to keep things tight at the back.
There has been parity at half-time in four of Juventus’ last five Champions League contests, as well as in exactly half of their 22 matches in Serie A.
Neither coach, you feel, would be too disappointed if this match was tied with 45 minutes on the clock.
Select a draw at half-time at 23/20 with Midnite
Angel Di Maria to score any time
What a career Angel Di Maria has had. The former Argentina international won the World Cup and two Copas America with his country, while at club level his collection includes seven league titles and a Champions League.
In Real Madrid, Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, Di Maria has played for some of the biggest clubs on the continent.
He began his professional career at Benfica and may well end it there too, having returned to Lisbon in the summer of 2023.
Di Maria is 36 years old now, but he shows no signs of slowing down. He has made 28 appearances in all competitions this season and scored 13 goals.
Di Maria can make his mark against a former club on Wednesday night as he aims to help Benfica into the knockout phase of the Champions League.
Back Angel Di Maria to score any time at 9/2 with Tote
How to watch Juventus vs Benfica
- Location: Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy.
- Date and time: Wednesday 29th January, 8pm.
- How to watch: discovery+.
Read more about the 2024/25 football season
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About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball
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