Benfica vs. Leverkusen: Match Preview, Predictions, Team News
In a crucial matchup in the UEFA Champions League, Benfica will host Bayer Leverkusen at Estadio da Luz on Wednesday. Both teams aim for their first win of the group stage, having struggled in their previous matches.
Match Preview: Benfica vs. Bayer Leverkusen
Benfica’s Champions League campaign has faced a rocky start, with the team lacking points after three fixtures. They currently sit second from bottom in their group. The Portuguese club notably blew a two-goal lead against Qarabag, resulting in a 3-2 loss. A managerial change to Jose Mourinho has not yielded positive results, as Benfica also suffered a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea and a 3-0 loss to Newcastle in their latest outings.
Despite their European woes, Benfica has enjoyed domestic success. They recently triumphed over Vitoria de Guimaraes with a 3-0 victory, marking their seventh win in an unbeaten run of ten matches in the Portuguese league. Defensively, they are strong, having not conceded in their last five domestic fixtures and scoring 11 goals in their previous three matches.
Historically, Benfica has had a mixed record against Leverkusen, with two wins in their last four encounters. However, they face a daunting challenge as they seek to reverse an unfavorable trend in the group stage.
Bayer Leverkusen’s Struggles
Bayer Leverkusen comes into this match following a difficult period, including a hefty 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich. This marked Kasper Hjulmand’s first league loss since taking charge. Prior to that, they also experienced a 7-2 defeat at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, equaling their total goals conceded in last season’s group stage. The club, currently fifth in the Bundesliga, has drawn both of their Champions League matches against Copenhagen and PSV Eindhoven.
Leverkusen now faces the pressure of avoiding an early exit from the Champions League after being eliminated in the round of 16 last season. In light of these results, the team will look to improve their prospects and end their winless streak in this season’s group stage.
Team News
Benfica will be without injured players Alexander Bah, Manu Silva, and Bruma. Fredrik Aursnes is expected to fill in at right-back again. Vangelis Pavlidis, the team’s leading scorer, aims to add to his tally, having netted 13 goals this season, though only one came in the Champions League.
Bayer Leverkusen will miss several key players, including Exequiel Palacios, Lucas Vazquez, Axel Tape, Equi Fernandez, and Nathan Tella due to injuries. Additionally, club captain Robert Andrich will be sidelined for this match as a result of a suspension. Patrik Schick is poised to return to the lineup, bolstering their attacking options.
Possible Lineups
| Benfica | Bayer Leverkusen |
|---|---|
| Trubin | Flekken |
| Aursnes | Tapsoba |
| Otamendi | Balde |
| T. Araujo | Quansah |
| Dahl | Grimaldo |
| Barrenechea | Garcia |
| Rios | Echeverri |
| Schjelderup | Arthur |
| Sudakov | Poku |
| Lukebakio | Kofane |
| Pavlidis | Schick |
This match represents a pivotal opportunity for both teams to regain momentum. With high stakes on the line, Benfica might have the edge given their domestic form and the visitors’ growing injury concerns.
Prediction
It is expected to be a closely contested match, but Benfica could emerge victorious, predicting a scoreline of 2-1 against Bayer Leverkusen. This result would greatly enhance their chances of advancing in the tournament.
