Benfica tonight host Barcelona in a huge Champions League knockout. The two sides played out a thrilling game during the League phase, with Barca emerging victorious in a dramatic 5-4 win over the Lisbon giants in the driving rain in the Portuguese capital.
Now, Hansi Flick’s side return and are looking in a good position to end their decade-long wait for the Champions League trophy. Brilliant in the League phase despite losing to Monaco, they are on the kinder side of the draw this time around and are leading the La Liga title race as things stand. Rarely have they looked as good in recent years.
Benfica will hope to cause something of a shock to reach the quarter-finals but surely must take something from tonight’s game in front of their own supporters if they are to stand any chance of progressing. Follow all the action LIVE with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Benfica vs Barcelona latest news
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Kick-off time and venue: 8pm GMT; Estadio da Luz
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TV channel and live stream: TNT Sports
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Benfica team news: Angel Di Maria a doubt
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Barcelona team news: Gavi could feature
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Prediction: Barca to win
Benfica vs Barcelona
17:50 , Jonathan Gorrie
What a game...
Benfica vs Barcelona: Latest Champions League odds today
17:43 , Jonathan Gorrie
Benfica – 11/4
Draw – 16/5
Barcelona – 4/5
Odds via Betway
Benfica vs Barcelona: Head to head (h2h) history and results
17:34 , Jonathan Gorrie
Benfica wins: 2
Draws: 4
Barcelona wins: 4
Benfica vs Barcelona: Champions League score prediction tonight
17:32 , Jonathan Gorrie
While nine goals may not be served up this time, we should still see plenty of action at either end of the pitch.
Barcelona's front three have 69 goals between them so far this season, while Vangelis Pavlidis has seven in 10 in the Champions League this term, including a hat-trick in that goal bonanza in January.
The Spanish giants should prove too much for their Portuguese hosts, and could have the tie all but wrapped up after the first leg.
Benfica 1-3 Barcelona
Barcelona team news vs Benfica today
17:32 , Jonathan Gorrie
Barcelona expect Gavi to be fit to play after an illness ruled him out of the win over Real Sociedad, but may not start ahead of the midfield three of Dani Olmo, Pedri and Frenkie de Jong.
Raphinha scored the 96th-minute winner the last time these two teams played, and is looking for his 13th goal involvement in his ninth Champions League game of the season.
Benfica team news vs Barcelona today
17:31 , Jonathan Gorrie
Benfica are sweating over the fitness of both Angel Di Maria and Florentino after the two midfielders were unable to train over the weekend. The pair are currently expected to miss the game.
January signing Bruma is ineligible to play after not being registered to play in the Champions League, though has a three-game ban in European competitions hanging over his head in any case.
Benfica vs Barcelona: TV channel and live stream for Champions League today
17:31 , Jonathan Gorrie
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on TNT Sports.
Live stream: Fans can catch the contest live online via the Discovery+ app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Welcome
17:25 , Jonathan Gorrie
Good evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Benfica’s huge Champions League clash against Barcelona.
Kick-off from Estadio da Luz in Lisbon is at 8pm GMT.
