Real Madrid vs Benfica – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Los Blancos hold a 1-0 lead and will be determined to win this second leg after the racism controversy in the first leg.

Real Madrid Form

Los Blancos are showing wildly inconsistent form. Xabi Alonso was sacked after a 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup. They lost 3-2 away to Albacete in Alvaro Arbeloa’s first match in charge. They beat Levante 2-0 and thrashed Monaco 6-1 in the Champions League.

A 2-0 win at Villarreal preceded a shock 4-2 defeat at Benfica. They beat Rayo Vallecano 2-1 and won 2-0 at Valencia. After beating Real Sociedad 4-1, they made it five straight wins after a 1-0 win away at Benfica. On Saturday, they leaked a 90th-minute goal to lose 2-1 at Osasuna, which saw them drop to second in La Liga.

Real Madrid Team News

Jude Bellingham is out with a hamstring injury and Eder Militao is a long-term absentee. Centre back Raúl Asencio is back from a ban but Dean Huijsen is carrying an injury.

Winger Rodrygo is suspended and Kylian Mbappé is a doubt with a knee problem. Gonzalo Garcia is on standby to deputise if necessary.

Real Madrid Motivation

Real Madrid looked distracted during their weekend defeat. All attention is on this match and reaching the round of 16.

Motivation will be even higher after the racism furore in the first leg. Los Blancos would dearly love to put a few goals past Benfica here.

Benfica Form

Jose Mourinho’s team sits third in the Portuguese League, a full seven points off the summit. After beating Rio Ave 2-0, they lost 2-0 to Juventus to place their Champions League ambitions in tatters. A 4-0 win vs Estrela preceded a crazy 4-2 home win vs Real Madrid as goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin saw in the 98^th minute.

A poor 0-0 draw at Tondela was followed by a 2-1 win over Alverca and 2-1 victory at Santa Clara. Benfica lost 1-0 at home to Real Madrid in last week’s first leg with just 0.47 xG produced. On Saturday, they put up 3.69 xG in a 3-0 home win over AVS Futebol SAD.

Benfica Team News

Winger Dodi Lukebakio is back from injury for this match. Richard Rios is back to anchor midfield. Defensive midfielder Joao Veloso is a major doubt.

Gianluca Prestianni is suspended as UEFA investigate claims of racist abuse. Coach Jose Mourinho is also banned from the touchline for this one.

Benfica Motivation

Benfica can’t afford to concede an early goal. They are likely to play quite defensively in the first half.

If they’re still only 1-0 down in the second half, they will throw men forward and try to level up the tie.

Key Stats

• Real Madrid have won 7 of their last 9 matches
• Real Madrid’s Mbappe has scored 13 goals in 8 Champions League matches this season
• Benfica have lost 4 of their last 11 matches
• Benfica have won 3 of their last 5 Champions League matches

Verdict

This match is difficult to predict, especially if Mbappe misses out. Real Madrid should win on the -1 handicap. Vinicius Jr is a good bet to score once again.

Best Bet: Real Madrid win (-1 goal handicap) at 2.62

Featured Bet: Real Madrid win, Both teams to score and Mbappe anytime goalscorer at 3.10

Goalscorer Tip: Vinicius Jr to score anytime at 2.20