Champions League Clash: Barcelona Takes on Benfica

In a highly anticipated matchup in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, FC Barcelona is set to face SL Benfica on Wednesday, March 5, at the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica in Lisbon, Portugal. Both teams are coming in with impressive performances, making this fixture particularly intriguing.

Match Overview

Barcelona, under the leadership of Hansi Flick, has displayed exceptional form, remaining unbeaten in their last 15 matches across all competitions. Their most recent victory, a thrilling 5-4 showdown against Benfica in the group phase, highlights their attacking prowess. Conversely, Benfica has also shown resilience, maintaining an eight-match unbeaten streak of their own.

How to Watch

• Date: Wednesday, March 5
• Time: 3 p.m. ET
• Location: Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Lisbon, Portugal
• Live Stream: Available on Paramount+
• Betting Odds: Benfica +270; Draw +320; Barcelona -125

Key Storylines

Benfica’s Ambitions

Benfica will be relying heavily on Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis, who previously registered a hat trick against Barcelona. With nine goal contributions in ten Champions League matches this season, his performance will be vital for Benfica’s chances of success. While the team is competitive, strengthening their defense will be crucial to withstand Barcelona’s potent attack.

Barcelona’s Confidence

On the other side, Barcelona arrives with momentum from six consecutive La Liga victories. They excel in high-pressure scenarios, making them a dangerous opponent. Key players such as Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski are expected to play pivotal roles in attack, displaying the club’s versatility in exploiting opponent weaknesses.

Projected Lineups

Benfica’s Expected XI

Anatoliy Trubin, Alvaro Carreras, Nicolas Otamendi, Antonio Silva, Tomas Araujo, Orkun Kokcu, Leandro Barreiro, Fredrik Aursnes, Bruma, Vangelis Pavlidis, Kerem Akturkoglu.

Barcelona’s Expected XI

Wojciech Szczesny, Alex Balde, Inigo Martinez, Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, Pedri, Frenkie De Jong, Raphinha, Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski.

Prediction

Given their current form and attacking capabilities, Barcelona is expected to take an early lead in this match. The team is predicted to secure a convincing win, possibly resulting in a score of Benfica 1, Barcelona 3, as they look forward to the second leg with one eye on rotation.