Benfica vs Bologna prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-12-10 20:00.
[p]A fifth straight competitive victory for Benfica over the weekend saw them keep pace in the Liga Portugal title race, while they’re already into the latter stages of the Taça de Portugal and right in the mix to advance into the UEFA Champions League (UCL) knockout stage (W3, L2). Another victory against Bologna would solidify Benfica’s position in the top-24 ahead of the final two rounds, which would be a marked improvement on last season when they were eliminated in the group stage. [/p]
[p]Facing off against Italian opposition is rarely a positive for Benfica, who hold both a negative overall record against those sides (W11, D7, L19) along with a woeful return of three wins across the last 11 such home games (D4, L4). Also failing to win five of their last six UCL home outings (D1, L4), Benfica may at least head into this with confidence after winning ten of their last 11 competitive home games, seven times without reply. [/p]
[p]Trying to put a dent in that record are UCL debutants Bologna, who despite being rock solid in Serie A (W5, D7, L2), have just one point on the continental stage (D1, L4). An early elimination seems like a more likely prospect with each passing matchday and that’s the unsurprising reality for Bologna, who are the only side out of the 36 UCL teams yet to take a lead, or even score a goal from open play after 41 goal attempts.[/p]
[p]The negatives just keep piling up for Bologna, who could become only the eighth side to lose their opening three away games in their debut UCL campaign without scoring a goal. The visitors do at least boast a positive record after four historical meetings against Portuguese opponents (W2, D1, L1), and travel here having scored seven goals across their last four competitive trips (W2, D1, L1).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Benfica star Ángel Di María brought his UCL assists total to 38 in the previous round, putting him just three shy of Ryan Giggs’ all-time record of 41. For Bologna, Tommaso Pobega scored his first two goals for the club in his last two appearances – none of his 13 scoring club appearances saw him end on the losing side (W7, D6). [/p]
[p]Hot streak: Benfica are yet to draw a game since the managerial re-appointment of Bruno Lage (W14, L2). [/p]
[p][i]Written by Matthew Billon[/i][/p]