Bayern Munich vs Benfica: Match Preview & predictions
Bayern Munich vs Benfica: Match Preview & predictions. Bayern Munich would be looking to get all three points when they take on Benfica in their fourth game of the Champions League’s league phase on Wednesday night.
The new era headed by Vincent Kompany has so far boasted domestic promise, but the Bavarian outfit did suffer a chastening defeat last time out in this competition as they were blown away by Barcelona in Catalonia.
Bayern’s 4-1 defeat followed up a 1-0 loss to Aston Villa in the West Midlands, leaving Kompany’s side languishing at the wrong end of the league phase table and with plenty of work to do, if they’re to climb into a top eight position. Although, time is on their side still, however.
The Bavarian giants face a Benfica side that have lost just once under Bruno Lage‘s tutelage, but that defeat did arrive on Matchday 3 of the league phase. Benfica were woeful in a 3-1 home defeat to Feyenoord, yet they do sit 13th in the table and in a relatively strong position having won their opening two games.
Unlike Bayern, they don’t lead their domestic division heading into this fixture, but Lage’s side have won five games straight in the Primeira Liga and are hunting down an excellent Sporting CP team at the summit.
Below is how we preview the Bayern Munich vs Benfica clash in the Champions League on Wednesday.
What time does Bayern Munich vs Benfica kick-off?
Location: Munich, Germany
Stadium: Allianz Arena
Date: Wednesday 6 November
Kick-off Time: 20:00 BST / 15:00 ET / 12:00 PT
Referee: Davide Massa (ITA)
VAR: Aleandro Di Paolo (ITA)
Bayern Munich vs Benfica H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Bayern Munich: 4 wins
Benfica: 0 wins
Draws: 1
Last meeting: Bayern Munich 5-2 Benfica (2 November 2021) – Champions League
Bayern Munich team news!
Aleksandar Pavlovic remains out after breaking his collarbone last month, but he’s expected to return at some point before the winter break. In his absence, Joao Palhinha could partner Joshua Kimmich in the middle of the park.
Sacha Boey is closing in on a return from a knee injury and could be included in Wednesday’s matchday squad having returned to training. Raphael Guerreiro is likely to start at right-back, though.
Summer arrival Hiroki Ito and Josip Stanisic are however out of action until after the international break.
Bayern Munich predicted lineup vs Benfica
Bayern (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Guerreiro, Kim, Upamecano, Davies; Kimmich, Palhinha; Olise, Musiala, Gnabry; Kane.
Benfica team news;
There are no fresh concerns on the injury front for the away side, who escaped their 2-1 win over Farense at the weekend without any new fitness issues.
Lage, however, will not be able to call upon the injured trio of Gianluca Prestianni, Leandro Barreiro or Tiago Gouveia in Bavaria.
Angel Di Maria is the household name in Benfica’s frontline, but Turkish international Kerem Akturkoglu has been the Portuguese side’s main man this season. The summer addition has eight goal contributions in the Primeira Liga and another three in this competition.
Benfica predicted lineup vs Bayern Munich;
Benfica (4-3-3): Trubin; Bah, Otamendi, Araujo, Carreras; Kokcu, Florentino, Aursnes; Di Maria, Pavlidis, Akturkoglu.
Predictions;
Bayern can hold their hands up and say they were simply beaten by an excellent Barcelona side on Matchday 3. They had control of large swathes of that game, but their vulnerabilities to the transition were ruthlessly exposed.
Benfica ran riot on the counter against Atletico Madrid on Matchday 2 and should have some joy here, but winning at the Allianz is an almighty task for any visiting team.
Bayern haven’t lost a home group stage/league phase Champions League game since 2013, and their desperation for three points should see them triumph in a goal-fest on Wednesday night.
Prediction: Bayern Munich 3-2 Benfica
