Champions League: Benfica vs. PSG Match Preview
Winner Will Occupy First Place in UCL Group H
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Perfect Records on the Line
The top dogs in Champions League Group H face off on Tuesday as Benfica host PSG. Both teams come into the match with two wins from two matches. So, the winner will take top spot in the group, at least temporarily, as PSG host Benfica next week at the Parc des Princes. Stay put for our Benfica vs. PSG match preview, team news and odds.
Champions League – Benfica vs. PSG Game Info:
- Location: Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
- Date & Time: EST
- Streaming: Live Stream Sports
Head-to-Head
Last Five Meetings:
- Nov 2013: Benfica 2-1 PSG
- Oct 2013: PSG 3-0 Benfica
- Mar 2011: PSG 1-1 Benfica
- Mar 2011: Benfica 2-1 PSG
- Mar 2007: Benfica 3-1 PSG
Benfica have gotten the better of PSG in their most recent meetings, with three wins in the last five. Granted, these teams haven’t played each other for nearly nine years. Since then, PSG have more than doubled their Ligue 1 titles. These teams have split their two previous Champions League meetings. Benfica defeated PSG 2-1 at the Estadio da Luz and PSG won the reverse fixture 3-0. PSG have never won at the Estadio da Luz but are favored on Wednesday by the Champions League betting odds.
Benfica Emerge as Champions League Dark Horse
- Recent Form (All Competitions): D,W,W,W,W
- Injuries and Suspensions: D Joao Victor (Out), D Morato (Out), D Lucas Verissimo (Out)
Benfica have gotten off to a great start this season. The two-time European Cup winners are at the top of the Primeira Liga table and have two wins in two UCL matches. In fact, Benfica opened up their domestic campaign with seven straight wins before drawing at SC Vitoria on Saturday. Any Benfica vs. PSG Match should highlight that As Aguias have conceded one goal in their last five matches.
Joao Mario and Rafa Silva have been standouts on the offensive end. They both have five goals, in all competitions, and they both put in quite the shift vs. Juventus. Benfica pulled off an impressive 2-1 win in Turin and are favored to advance to the knockout stage.
Benfica should not at all be underestimated as the Portuguese league is actually ranked higher than the French Ligue 1. As Aguias finished in second place in their group last year and qualified for the round of 16 over Barcelona. They added Ajax star David Neres in the offseason and 18-year old defender Antonio Silva has also stepped up. Despite three defenders out with injuries, Silva and Nicolas Otamendi have held down the fort.
Best Yet to Come for PSG
- Recent Form: W,W,W,W,W
- Injuries and Suspensions: D Presnel Kimpembe (Out), M Renato Sanches (Day-to-Day)
Christophe Galtier’s tenure as PSG coach has gotten off to a great start results-wise. The defending Ligue 1 champions are unbeaten in the league and are on top of the table. They’ve also kicked off their Champions League campaign with two wins and are expected to win the group. Still, there’s the sense that they could be reaching another level with their play. All three of their most recent Ligue 1 wins have come by just a one-goal margin.
The good news this season is that Lionel Messi is contributing goals as well this season. After scoring just 11 goals in all competitions last season, he already has seven so far. The Barcelona legend has scored in each of PSG’s last three matches. All three of Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar were on the scoresheet in PSG’s last Champions League match. After going down 1-0 to Maccabi Haifa, PSG rallied to win 3-1.
With an absurdly stacked squad, PSG odds to win Champions League show a +500 price. They’re notoriously without a UCL win in their history and Manchester City and PSG are the two favorites this season. Despite having a deep squad, one key players is injured. Defender Presnel Kimpembe is out for Wednesday’s match. Either Nordi Mukiele or Danilo Pereira can fill in as the third center back. Midfielder Renato Sanches also went off during Saturday’s 2-1 win over Nice with a muscle injury and is questionable.
Odds & Preview
Benfica vs. PSG Match previews are identifying this game as one of the best of the week. Both teams are expected to score and over three goals total is priced at -135 odds. Visitors PSG are favored to remain perfect in the Champions League and sit at -140 odds. Punters can bet on both Benfica and a draw at +325 odds.
Visitors PSG are favored to remain perfect in the Champions League and sit at -140 odds. Punters can bet on both Benfica and a draw at +325 odds.
PSG and Benfica were both Champions League quarterfinalists in 2021-22. Everyone knows about PSG’s potential but Benfica still manage to go under the radar. Just in the past year they have wins over Juventus, Ajax and Barcelona in the Champions League. Still, they are +120 underdogs to cover the +½ goal line.
While both teams will undoubtedly want to win, a draw would be a great result for Benfica. Even if Benfica draw this match and lose next week, they’re guaranteed to come into their rematch vs. Juve ahead of them in the standings. It’ll certainly be interesting to see in Benfica can get a point in front of their home fans.
