Benfica vs Juventus prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-24 19:00.
This is a pivotal UEFA Champions League (UCL) clash for both Benfica and Juventus, with the hosts in the driving seat. Coming into the round, they are top and level with Paris Saint-Germain on eight points meaning a win would guarantee a top-two finish in Group H, though a draw would also suffice if Maccabi Haifa fail to overcome PSG at the Parc des Princes.
However, there is no doubt that the Portuguese outfit will be backing themselves to get the job done without help from others, especially considering the form they are in. Benficaâs last competitive defeat came back in May against Porto, which was a loss they avenged this past weekend after beating their title rivals 1-0 in domestic action, extending their unbeaten competitive run to 20 matches (W17, D3). They also boast a formidable home record in Europe, losing just three of their last 23 outings (W14, D6) at the EstĂĄdio da Luz.
That will be a concern for visiting Juventus whose Champions League ambitions are hanging by a thread after picking up just three points so far (L3), and subsequently they sit five points behind their opponents and must win here to have any chance of making it to the UCL knockout phase for a ninth successive season. However, theyâve lost each of their last three matches against Benfica in Lisbon, and also suffered a 2-1 loss despite taking the lead during the last H2H in Turin, making it five Juve losses from the last seven matches between these two at any venue.
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri spoke with defiance over the weekend when discussing this up-and-coming contest, stating his team âwe're not out of the Champions League yetâ. They have won their last two domestic matches âto nilâ, with the first of this mini-streak ending a winless away run stretching eight competitive matches (D2, L6), so Allegri may believe his side are showing signs of a turnaround that could continue here.
Players to watch: Players to watch: Benfica midfielder Florentino LuĂs has been a governing presence in this seasonâs UCL tournament, and there are only two players who have made more tackles than him so far (17). Counterpart Adrien Rabiot is not normally known for his ability in front of goal, yet he has directly scored four of Juventusâ last eight competitive goals.
Hot stat: Benfica have scored 2+ goals in eight of their nine competitive home games this season (W8, D1).