Barcelona vs Benfica Predictions

Barcelona vs Benfica predictions for this Champions League fixture. Barcelona aim to defend their narrow first-leg lead against Benfica in Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 return leg at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.

Champions League  | Mar 11, 2025 at 5:45pm UK at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys

Barcelona vs Benfica Predictions

Will Barcelona Hold Their Nerve or Will Benfica Stage a Stunning Comeback?

• Barcelona’s unbeaten streak continues
  • The Blaugrana are unbeaten in 16 straight matches across all competitions, a run that highlights their consistency and defensive resilience.
• Benfica’s away form in Europe is impressive
  • The Portuguese side have won each of their last three Champions League away games, proving they are capable of getting results on the road.
• Goals expected in this encounter
  • Barcelona’s last three matches have produced 13 goals in total, suggesting this clash could be far more open than the first leg.

Best Bet for Barcelona vs Benfica

Barcelona step onto the pitch at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys with a narrow 1-0 advantage from the first leg against Benfica, knowing that they are just 90 minutes away from securing their place in the Champions League quarter-finals. The Catalan side were forced to dig deep in Lisbon after going down to ten men early on, but a composed defensive display and a moment of quality from Raphinha proved enough to give them the edge heading into the return leg.

For Benfica, the first-leg loss was a bitter pill to swallow, especially given they had 26 shots and dominated for long spells against a depleted Barcelona. But their wastefulness in front of goal and Wojciech Szczęsny’s heroics ultimately cost them, leaving them with an uphill task in Spain. The Portuguese side do have a reason for optimism, though, as they come into this match on the back of a resounding 3-0 league victory over Nacional, a result that should give them confidence as they prepare for what could be their final European outing of the season.

Barcelona, meanwhile, were not in action at the weekend following the tragic passing of their first-team doctor, meaning they have had more time to rest and prepare. Whether that additional break works in their favour or leads to a loss of sharpness remains to be seen. With Benfica having no choice but to attack and Barcelona looking to make the most of their counter-attacking opportunities, this has all the makings of an explosive encounter.

Best Bet for Barcelona vs Benfica

At BettingTips4You, we focus on delivering the single best bet for every game, rather than overwhelming our readers with multiple options. After analysing this fixture in depth, our top pick is Barcelona to win and both teams to score.

Why This Bet is the Smartest Option

Barcelona might be in control of the tie, but Benfica are not the kind of team to go down without a fight. The visitors have no choice but to throw everything forward, which should make for an open contest. Given Barcelona’s attacking quality and Benfica’s need for goals, both sides finding the net seems like a very realistic outcome.

Despite their first-leg defeat, Benfica have been strong in attack throughout their Champions League campaign. They have scored in four of their last five matches in the competition and have been particularly impressive in their European away fixtures, winning three consecutive Champions League matches on the road. With Vangelis Pavlidis leading the line and in strong form, Benfica have every chance of getting on the scoresheet.

Barcelona, however, have been in formidable form at home, winning five of their last seven matches in front of their own fans. Their most recent home fixture saw them dismantle Real Sociedad 4-0, showcasing their attacking threat. With Robert Lewandowski expected to return to the starting XI after overcoming a minor issue, they will have their most reliable goal scorer back in action.

The first leg might have been a low-scoring affair, but that was largely due to Barcelona’s red card forcing them into a more defensive approach. This time around, with eleven men on the pitch, they will be far more aggressive in attack. They have scored 13 goals across their last three matches in all competitions, showing they have no trouble finding the net.

BettingTips4You.com expert quote:
“Benfica have no option but to attack, and that will leave them exposed to Barcelona’s ruthless finishing. Expect goals at both ends, but the home side’s quality should see them through.”

Predicted Score: Barcelona 3-1 Benfica (Barcelona win 4-1 on aggregate)

With Benfica desperate for a goal and Barcelona boasting serious firepower, this game should see plenty of action in the final third. While the visitors are likely to score, Barcelona’s superior quality should allow them to control the game and book their spot in the next round.

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