Benfica vs Barcelona Predictions

• Barcelona won 5-4 at this venue during the league phase.
• Benfica are scoring on average 2.5 goals per-game at home over their last 10 games.
• Over 3.5 goals has landed in four of Barcelona’s last six.

Benfica and Barca could serve up another classic

Barcelona fought back from 3-1 and 4-2 down to win 5-4 at Benfica in a memorable Champions League fixture during the league phase and the two heavyweights face off again in the last 16.

The first leg takes place in Lisbon and another nine-goal thriller may be unlikely, but we should still see a few goals on Wednesday evening.

Benfica have been in fine scoring form at home with 18 goals across their last six home games, while Barca have scored at least four in four of their last six overall.

The Catalan giants conceded in all four of their league phase trips, shipping 10 goals in total, so their defence has been vulnerable – and both teams have enough quality in attack to hurt each other here.

These two sides can combine for at least four goals and correct score backers should consider a 2-2 draw. A stalemate would obviously give Barcelona an advantage ahead of the return fixture in Catalunya, and both of these teams are enjoying some fine form.

Benfica are unbeaten in eight and Barcelona are looking to extend a 15-game unbeaten run. Benfica’s last stalemate was a 3-3 draw with Monaco and two of Barcelona’s three away draws this term have finished 2-2. The league phase meeting in Lisbon could have gone either way and both teams would perhaps take a draw in this first leg, so 2-2 looks to have a chance.

The value in terms of the scorer market is with the home players and Vangelis Pavlidis looks the best contender. The Greek striker scored a hat-trick inside the first 30 minutes when these sides met in January at this venue and he comes into the game in blistering form.

Pavlidis has been more effective in Europe than domestically with seven goals in nine Champions League games, averaging 2.4 attempts per-game in this competition. He’s also scored in seven of his last eight games across all competitions, hitting eight goals in total, and he can add to his haul against Barca on Wednesday.