Champions League Picks, Predictions | Benfica vs Club Brugge Preview
DeFodi Images/Getty. Pictured: Goncalo Ramos.
Benfica vs Club Brugge Odds
Benfica Odds | -285 |
Club Brugge Odds | +750 |
| Draw | +450 |
| Over/Under | 2.5 (-160 / +130) |
| Both Teams to Score (Yes/No) | (-110 / -115) |
| Odds via DraftKings. Get the latest soccer odds here. | |
Benfica host Club Brugge in the second leg of their Champions League series on Tuesday night at the Estadio da Luz.
They are currently unbeaten in the Champions League this season, and after a 2-0 victory in the first leg of the series, Benfica must fancy their chances of returning to the quarterfinals in back-to-back years.
Club Brugge, aware of the tall mountain they have to climb, are looking to regain the form they showed earlier in the season. They will hope that their 3-0 loss on Friday is no sign of what's to come during the midweek.
Will Benfica defend their home field and cruise to the quarterfinals, or will Club Brugge pull off the latest Champions League miracle and advance beyond the round of 16 for the first time since the 1970s?
Here is our breakdown of the Benfica vs Club Brugge odds, and my pick for the Champions League showdown on Tuesday.
Benfica Are Unstoppable at Home
Benfica have been nearly perfect at home this season, going unbeaten in 19 all-competition matches when playing at the Estadio da Luz. 17 of those 19 games have been wins.
Manager Roger Schmidt's team has only improved since the new year. In their five home matches in 2023, they have found the back of the net 11 times and have netted at least two goals in all but one of those outings.
It is not just on the offensive side of the ball where the Portuguese powerhouse are receiving a home-field advantage, though, as their defense is equally as impressive.
Benfica have seen the ball go into the back of their own net just three times since the turn of the calendar year and have yet to allow a team to record more than two shots on target in a game.
If there is any sign for Benfica to be cautious on Tuesday, however, it is that the last time they were eliminated in the round of 16, they lost 4-0 to Dortmund after winning the first leg.
Club Brugge Must Regain Their Form
Club Brugge have had great success on the road in the Champions League this season, posting three consecutive road shutouts and holding a +4 goal differential.
Also, when they were forced to travel to Portugal earlier in the tournament, they dismantled FC Porto 4-0. That said, all of that occurred before the World Cup break, and manager Scott Parker's side has fallen off dramatically since returning.
The Belgian side posted a 13-5-5 record while recording 41 goals and conceding just 23 before the World Cup break. After returning from the break they have just two wins in 12 games. In those 12 games, they have scored just 13 goals to their 17 goals conceded.
There are multiple reasons for this decline, but perhaps the biggest one is the lack of aggression in attack. In leg one against Benfica, they recorded just one shot on target and zero crosses into the penalty area.
Parker will need a far less conservative game plan if his side is to have any chance of continuing their Champions League run.
Benfica vs Club Brugge Pick
Given the result in the first leg, Benfica just need to avoid a lopsided loss if they are to advance after the 90 minutes.
Club Brugge, on the other hand, have to score at least two goals to have any type of chance at advancing to the quarterfinals, so expect them to be in a high press from the opening whistle.
Even though Benfica have been excellent in the back this season, I expect the Belgian side to find the back of the net. However, it won't come without having to sacrifice some of their defensive integrity and a side as good as Benfica will be able to take advantage of that and find a goal of their own.
Back both sides to score in Tuesday's battle.
Pick: Both Teams to Score — Yes (-110)
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