Barcelona vs Benfica predictions, odds and betting tips

Barcelona vs Benfica best bets

Barcelona -1.5 Asian handicap – 5/6 with SBK
Both teams to score and under 5.5 goals – 4/5 with Casumo
Robert Lewandowski to score any time – 8/11 with Tote

Barcelona vs Benfica odds

Find the latest match odds for Barcelona vs Benfica. All odds are provided by our best football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.

Barcelona vs Benfica predictions

Liverpool’s fortuitous 1-0 triumph over Paris Saint-Germain was not the only smash and grab in the Champions League last-16 first legs.

Barcelona were victorious over Benfica by the same scoreline, even though most of the other numbers were in their opponents’ favour.

Benfica outshot Barcelona 26-10 and racked up an xG of 1.75 compared to Barca’s 1.19. Just as Liverpool were reliant on Alisson Becker as well as Lady Luck, Hansi Flick’s team had Wojciech Szczesny to thank for keeping them in the game.

There was a caveat, though. Barcelona played the majority of the match at a numerical disadvantage following Pau Cabarsi’s red card midway though the first half. In that light, they had every right to feel proud of their performance on the night.

Raphinha’s goal just after the hour mark at the Estadio da Luz is what separates these two teams ahead of the second leg, but Flick was quick to warn his players that nothing has been decided yet.

“In football a lot of things can happen and Benfica are a side who play good football and we have to be ready for the second leg,” he said immediately after the first game.

“The tie is not over. We are in a good position, but a lot can happen in football. The second leg will be tough and we have to be ready.”

Barcelona are clearly strong favourites to advance from here, but Benfica scored four goals against them (albeit in a 5-4 defeat) in the league phase, so the Blaugrana know better than most how dangerous the Portuguese giants can be.

Barcelona had the weekend off after their scheduled La Liga clash with Osasuna was called off just 30 minutes before kick-off due to the tragic death of the club doctor, Carles Minarri Garcia.

The medic was only 40 years old and his passing understandably left Barcelona’s players and coaches devastated. It is hard to know what impact the event will have on Tuesday’s match, but were Barca to emerge triumphant they would doubtless dedicate the win to Garcia’s memory.

Benfica strolled to a 3-0 triumph over Nacional on Saturday to stay level on points with Sporting CP in top spot of the Primeira Liga. Now their attention turns back to European affairs.

Barcelona vs Benfica betting tips

Barcelona will be looking to complete the job against Benfica in the Champions League last 16.

Barcelona -1.5 Asian handicap

Barcelona have been more renowned for their electric attacking play than their defensive resolve this season, but Flick was delighted with how his team shut Benfica out last week.

Back on home turf, we should see a more free-flowing display from Barcelona on Tuesday – and Benfica will struggle to live with it.

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Having wobbled in the winter, Barcelona have been back to their best in recent weeks. They have won each of their last six games in La Liga, four of which were by two goals or more.

If Benfica were to go behind in Catalonia, their confidence would take a hit. Coming back from two goals down on aggregate would surely be a bridge too far.

As such, we anticipate a reasonably comfortable victory for Flick’s charges.

Back Barcelona with a -1.5 Asian handicap at 5/6 with SBK

Both teams to score and under 5.5 goals

These two teams shared nine goals in that aforementioned thriller in the league phase, but we are unlikely to see a repeat here.

True, Barcelona’s matches have generally been pretty goal-laden this term, but they have looked more defensively secure across both La Liga and the Champions League of late.

That does not mean we will not see an entertaining encounter in Catalonia; rather, anyone hoping for a 4-3 or 5-4 is likely to be disappointed.

We do fancy Benfica to breach Barcelona’s backline, though. They created numerous chances in the first leg and would have scored but for profligate finishing.

Choose both teams to score and under 5.5 goals at 4/5 with Casumo

Robert Lewandowski to score any time

Robert Lewandowski joined an exclusive club this season when he became only the third player in Champions League history to reach 100 goals in the competition (no prizes for guessing the other two).

Lewandowski is not as mobile as he once was, but there are few more lethal finishers inside the penalty area.

The Poland international has demonstrated his enduring quality this term and his experience, as well as his ability, will be valuable to Barca in the knockout phase.

Lewandowski needs speed and legs around him these days, and that is exactly what he has at Barcelona.

Flick’s setup is bringing the best out of the 36-year-old, who can get his name on the scoresheet once again on Tuesday.

Tip Robert Lewandowski to score any time at 8/11 with Tote

How to watch Barcelona vs Benfica

Location: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain.
Date and time: Tuesday 11th March, 5.45pm.
How to watch: TNT Sports 1.

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Barcelona vs Benfica predictions, odds and betting tips

Barcelona vs Benfica best bets

Barcelona vs Benfica odds

Barcelona vs Benfica predictions