Champions League 2022 | Liverpool vs Benfica Prediction
As we enter the second game of the Champions League quarter-finals between Liverpool and Benfica, we are certain that Anfield will be filled to the brim with fans. After taking the lead in the first game, Liverpool has some space to relax on their home field.
However, in football, you can never underestimate your opponents. Benfica will probably be playing all out as their only option to advance is to outplay Liverpool completely. So we can definitely expect a spectacle. Additionally, Liverpool is playing the FA Cup while also looking to win the Premier League and the Champions League. Will all this take its toll on Liverpool, or can they continue like this for a little more?
Read our Liverpool vs Benfica prediction to find out everything you need to know about their matchups, stats, and form.
Liverpool vs Benfica Recent Form
In the Champions League group stage, Liverpool won all of their six games. They scored 17 and conceded six goals. In the 1/8 finals, they overcame Inter to reach the quarter-finals. Despite losing their home game 1:0, Liverpool advanced with an aggregate score of 2:1.
Furthermore, Liverpool’s tight schedule takes its toll as they are currently in second place on the Premier League table. Despite winning four of the last five matches in the Premier League and ending one in a draw, Manchester City is ahead of Liverpool by a point.
On the other hand, Benfica finished second in the group stage of the Champions League 2022. However, with Barcelona and Bayern in their group, it is quite a feat that they qualified for the main stage. Benfica had two wins, two losses, two games ending in a draw, and a goal difference of 7:9.
Liverpool vs Benfica Recent Matchups
Liverpool have played Benfica nine times in the Champions League. At the moment, Liverpool have taken six of those nine matches, and Benfica three. Additionally, the two met two times in Europa League. The Reds from England have taken one win, and the Reds from Portugal the other.
In the first game of the quarter-finals, Liverpool beat Benfica 3:1. But as we have seen in their performance against Inter, Liverpool didn’t do well on the home field. Was this a sign of fatigue, or did Liverpool intentionally take it slow as they already had an advantage?
Overall, Liverpool have the advantage and have already beaten Benfica several times. Furthermore, Liverpool have taken the Champions League trophy six times. The Reds are a way more experienced team than the Eagles, and with the 3:1 lead that Liverpool has, Benfica has a tough match ahead of them.
Liverpool vs Benfica Stats & Analysis
Liverpool is currently fighting multiple battles. They have a semifinals game against Manchester City in the FA Cup on the 16th of April. After that, they need to focus on the Premier League, as they are currently second on the table. Players are sure to lose focus at a certain point. So how long can Liverpool continue to spread itself thin before the cracks start to show?
Liverpool’s highest-scoring player in the Champions League is Salah, with eight goals. With Klopp’s leadership and Salah’s expertise in-game, Benfica’s chances drop significantly.
On the other hand, Nunez, the young Benfica attacker, has shown incredible skill. With five goals, he is also Benfica’s highest-scoring player. Additionally, he has already scored in the first game against Liverpool. But to advance to the semifinals, Nunez will need to do a lot more in this game.
Liverpool vs Benfica Prediction
As Liverpool have made it clear in the first match, they will not be going easy in the Champions League. With the lead they have right now, they have some room to relax, but we doubt it will come to that with such high stakes.
At the moment, they are heavily favoured for the win, with odds at 1.32. For a draw, the bookies offer 6.60, and for Benfica to win 11.50. If we consider the Liverpool v Inter match, the market for Benfica to win might just be worth considering.
As this is Benfica’s only chance to reach the semifinals of the Champions League for the first time, we know they will give it their best. And with the skill Nunez has shown, they will probably score at least one goal. With that, an excellent market to consider might be for both teams to score, which stands at 2.10 odds.
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