Barcelona vs Benfica: Champions League Preview, Team News, Lineups, Head-to-Head, and Prediction

Spanish powerhouse Barcelona will look to secure a place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final for the second consecutive season when they take on Benfica at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in the second leg of the Round of 16 on Tuesday, 11 March. 

Barcelona came out on top in the first leg at Estadio da Luz, with Raphinha scoring a blinder in the second half to secure a narrow 1-0 victory.

Champions League Round of 16: Barcelona vs Benfica – Preview

Barcelona

Hansi Flick’s side had to dig deep to snatch the win in the first leg against Benfica. Although they started brightly, Barcelona found themselves in a pickle before the halfway mark of the first half, as Pau Cubarsi saw a straight red for a last-ditch tackle on Vangelis Pavlidis.

The Blaugrana’s handicap invited Benfica to go all-out. However, despite throwing the kitchen sink at the visitors, the clean sheet prevailed, as Wojciech Szczesny stopped every ball that came his way. Just past the hour mark, Benfica gave the ball away to Raphinha inside their own half, allowing the Brazilian to charge at goal and find the back of the net from outside the area.

Barcelona were keen to extend their winning streak with the clash against CA Osasuna over the weekend. However, the home match was pushed back after the tragic death of club doctor Carles Minarro Garcia.

Benfica

The Portuguese side rued their missed opportunities against the Catalans, but they did not let the setback unsettle them. Over the weekend, Bruno Lage’s side returned to winning ways, with the Eagles claiming a comfortable 3-0 victory over Nacional. With the victory, second-placed Benfica moved within three points of league leaders Sporting . Benfica will go level with the Leoes if they win their match at hand.

Barcelona vs Benfica: Team News, Lineup, and Head-to-Head

Barcelona Team News and Lineup

Andreas Christensen (calf), as well as long-term absentees Marc-Andre ter Stegen (knee) and Marc Bernal (knee), are out injured, while Pau Cubarsi is suspended. Ronald Araujo starts alongside Inigo Martinez at the heart of the defence.

Confirmed lineup: Szczesny; Kounde, Araujo, Martinez, Balde; Olmo, De Jong, Pedri; Yamal, Raphinha, Lewandowski

Benfica Team News and Lineup

Benfica, meanwhile, will be without Angel Di Maria, Alexander Bah, Manu Silva, and Tiago Gouveia, with all four on the treatment table. Alvaro Carreras also misses out due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Confirmed lineup: Trubin; Araujo, Otamendi, Silva, Dahl; Aursnes, Luis, Kokcu; Akturkoglu, Schjelderup, Pavlidis

Head-to-Head

The two teams have faced each other 11 times in Europe. Barca have won five matches, Benfica two, while four games have ended all square.

Barcelona vs Benfica: Prediction

Barcelona are going through an emotionally challenging period, but we do not think they will let it affect their performance this Tuesday. We expect Raphinha and Co. to seal a routine win against the Primeira Liga outfit.

Our prediction: Barcelona 2-0 Benfica