Benfica vs Red Bull Salzburg predictions ahead of this affair in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Salzburg look out of their depth in this visit to Lisbon. Can they cause a massive upset in their Champions League campaign debut? Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
Match Live Wednesday, 20th September at 8:00 pm In:
Benfica vs Red Bull Salzburg Predictions
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Champions League Spotlight: Benfica’s European Ambition Meets Salzburg’s Redemption Bid
Key Stats
– Angel Di Maria has contributed to seven goals in just six appearances since returning to Benfica.
– Red Bull Salzburg’s Karim Konate has already accumulated six goals in the ongoing season.
Two European heavyweights, Benfica and Red Bull Salzburg, are poised to begin their Champions League pursuits at Estadio da Luz. While the hosts previously navigated to the quarter-finals, their Austrian adversaries concluded their journey earlier in a Europa League playoff.
Benfica’s Steely Resolve
Last season’s champions of the Primeira Liga, Benfica have solidified their Champions League ambition. Under the guidance of Roger Schmidt, the team previously overcame robust competition, including Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, to clinch the group’s top spot unbeaten. Their formidable journey included a 7-1 drubbing of Club Brugge before narrowly succumbing to Inter Milan in the quarters.
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With a title defence underway, Schmidt’s squadron has rebounded from an initial stumble against Boavista, stringing together consecutive victories. Their domestic prowess was recently highlighted by a 2-1 triumph against Vizela, featuring goals from Petar Musa and the seasoned Angel Di Maria.
Salzburg’s Redemption Quest
Red Bull Salzburg enter the competition with a point to prove. Previously grouped with heavyweights like Chelsea and AC Milan, their Champions League aspirations were thwarted, redirecting them to the Europa League. A close encounter with Roma resulted in a disappointing exit.
Now, under the astute Gerhard Struber, Salzburg are in pursuit of an 11th consecutive Austrian Bundesliga crown. They’ve begun this quest impeccably, amassing six wins before a recent draw against Sturm Graz.
Key Players in Focus
Benfica’s roster boasts the likes of Anatoliy Trubin, recently acquired from Shakhtar Donetsk, and Angel Di Maria, whose return to Lisbon has been marked by five goals and two assists in a mere six appearances. Their midfield dynamism comes from Joao Mario and the budding talent Orkun Kokcu. At the defence’s heart is the experience of Nicolas Otamendi paired with the youth of Antonio Silva.
For Salzburg, the offensive duo of 19-year-old Karim Konate and 20-year-old Roko Simic remains pivotal. Konate, in particular, has a commendable tally of six goals and two assists this season. Sekou Koita, the weekend’s goalscorer, could also play a crucial role. The Israeli talent, Oscar Gloukh, lends support with his playmaking capabilities.
Formidable Form Guide: An Analysis
Benfica’s Performance:
- Average BettingTips4You Expert Rating: 7.21 (Ranked 1/18 in Liga Portugal)
- Goals Scored/Conceded: 13/6 in five matches
- Top Scorers: Ángel Di María (4), Rafa Silva (3), and Petar Musa (2)
- Notable Stat: Commanding ball possession at 61.8% with an impressive passing accuracy of 86.3%.
Red Bull Salzburg’s Performance:
- Average BettingTips4You Expert Rating: 7.13 (Ranked 1/12 in Bundesliga)
- Goals Scored/Conceded: 18/4 in seven matches
- Top Scorers: Karim Konaté (6)
- Notable Stat: Maintaining ball possession at 61%, with an attack primarily focused inside the box.
Predictions
- Win-Draw-Away Prediction: Given their home advantage and recent form, a Benfica win seems plausible. Their past Champions League experience and unbeaten group stage record from the previous season give them an edge.
- Correct Score Prediction: Considering both teams’ attacking strengths and defensive lapses, a 3-2 victory for Benfica is a potential outcome.
- Goalscorer Prediction: With his current form and historical prowess, Angel Di Maria is likely to find the net in this fixture. As an optional prediction, Di Maria could also be the first to score.
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