Bayern Munich take on a confident Benfica side at the Allianz Arena in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first-leg encounter on Tuesday, with the Portuguese giants having won 19 of their last 20 games in all competitions.
Pep Guardiola’s men had to fight hard in the second leg of their round of 16 tie against Italian champions Juventus to get through to the quarter-finals. The Germans eventually prevailed 6-4 on aggregate after coming back from 2 goals down in the decider to win 4-2, with Thiago Alcantara and Kingsley Coman putting the tie to bed in extra time.
Meanwhile, their Portuguese opponents led by Rui Vitoria had to overcome Zenit St.Petersburg after going a goal down in the second leg. Benfica eventually went through 3-1 on aggregate and will now face a much bigger challenge in the form of German champions Bayern Munich.
Coming into this tie, Bayern are favourites to qualify for what will be their fifth semi-final in a row. History is on the side of the Bavarians as well, with the German side winning all of their previous ties against Benfica in European competition. The Lisbon side are yet to beat Bayern, having drawn twice and lost four times against Tuesday’s opponents.
Domestic form
Bayern Munich
The German champions come into this tie after a 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt on Saturday. After a loss to Mainz and a draw against title challengers Dortmund last month, Guardiola’s side bounced back with a 5-0 thumping of Werder Bremen and consecutive 1-0 victories over FC Koln and Eintracht Frankfurt, keeping them five points clear at the Bundesliga summit.
Benfica
Benfica have had an excellent run of form in the Portuguese League and are currently on a winning run of eight games which has seen them move to the top of the table. Their last victory saw the defending champions thrash Sporting Braga 5-1 on Friday to move five points clear of rivals Sporting Lisbon who have a game in hand.
Predicted Lineups
Bayern Munich
Guardiola’s side will be without defenders Jerome Boateng and Holger Badstuber, but will be boosted by the return of Javi Martinez. Winger Arjen Robben is out and Kingsley Coman will be assessed closer to kick-off.
Possible starting XI (4-1-4-1): Neuer; Lahm, Martinez, Alaba, Benatia; Vidal; Ribery, Alcantara, Muller, Costa; Lewandowski
Benfica
Centre-back Luisao is set to miss both legs of the tie with a broken arm. Lisandro Lopez, Nuno Santos and Julio Cesar are also sidelined for Tuesday’s game. However, Benfica welcome back defender Jardel into the squad after the 30-year-old served his suspension.
Possible starting XI (4-4-2): Ederson; Silvio, Jardel, Lindelof, Eliseu; Sanchez, Fejsa, Pizzi, Gaitan; Jonas, Mitroglou
Key Stats
- Benfica have lost just one of their last 22 matches in all competitions.
- Benfica are Champions League quarter-finalists for the fourth time but have never gone through to the semi-finals.
- Bayern have won all of their last ten matches at home, scoring 40 goals and conceding only six.
- Bayern have never lost to Benfica at home in European competition, winning all of their last 3 encounters.
- Benfica’s Jonas will go into this tie as Europe’s leading league goalscorer with 30 goals to his name.
Prediction
Bayern Munich 4 – 1 Benfica
Bayern are seemingly unbeatable at home and the odds are stacked firmly in their favour. However, Benfica go into this tie without any pressure and on the back of a superb unbeaten run, with Europe’s leading league goalscorer Jonas among their ranks. Bayern and Guardiola will be desperate to win the Champions League in the Spaniard’s last season at the club and if they find their feet early in the game, they would be difficult to stop.
Odds (Paddy Power)
- Bayern Win : 1/5
- Draw : 6/1
- Benfica Win : 14/1
