Benfica vs Real Sociedad prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-10-23 19:00.
Last season’s UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarter-finalists Benfica have left themselves plenty to do if they’re to match that feat this term having lost their opening two Group D games this campaign without scoring. Manager Roger Schmidt needs to somehow get his side to replicate their domestic performances on the European stage, with their 4-1 win over Lusitania on Friday an eighth in succession on their own shores.
Failure to do so would be a sharp fall from grace for the Eagles, who topped Group H last season ahead of the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus. This upcoming match against Real Sociedad could define their fate this term with the dark cloud of winning only two of their last 19 matches (D8, L9) against Spanish clubs hanging over their heads, although the knowhow gained from playing in the UCL in 13 of the last 14 seasons should play to their advantage.
In contrast, this is Sociedad’s third-ever UCL campaign and first in ten seasons, but given they are currently top of Group D, they’re clearly not intimidated by the bright lights on Europe’s top table. That shows their growth over the last decade having bottomed out in Group A of that 2013/14 UCL campaign, and they should be using that as motivation while preparing for their maiden encounter with Benfica, having last faced a Portuguese club way back in 1992.
Now making their way to Lisbon, Imanol Alguacil’s men travel in fine European away form, having won all three of their Europa League group stage matches on the road without conceding last season. That record continued with a 2-0 away win at RB Salzburg last matchday, while a 1-0 victory over Mallorca at the weekend shows they can grind out results when needed.
Players to watch: Benfica may look to Rafa Silva to break their scoring duck, since seven of his last 11 goals have come at home. He’ll be tussling for supremacy with Sociedad’s Brais Méndez, whose two UCL strikes this term have contributed to seven of his last eight goals arriving before half-time.
Hot streak: Each of Benfica’s last eight home matches have seen one side fail to score.