UEFA Champions League 2022: Liverpool vs Benfica Prediction and Betting Odds

The 2^nd leg of the Champions League quarterfinals has Liverpool take on the dark horses Benfica in an interesting clash. The hosts are on a roll and are the sure-shot favorites to make it to the semifinal while their opponents are known to cause upsets in the biggest stage.

The game is scheduled to be held in Anfield on 14^th April. The first leg was pretty much a one-sided affair with Liverpool dominating the proceedings from start to finish. Even though the fans and experts are very much certain about the Reds going through, Benfica has nothing to lose in this contest.

Liverpool vs Benfica Prediction and Betting Odds

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Liverpool vs Benfica Prediction and Betting Odds: Recent form

Looking at their recent form, it is a no-brainer that Liverpool is playing some of the best football in franchise history. This is quite reflective in their positioning in the Premier League as well as in the Champions League.

Klopp’s men are just one point behind Manchester City, breathing down their neck while remaining undefeated in the group stage of the UEFA league. Despite facing some resistance in the round of 16 encounters against Inter Milan, they scraped through to the last 8. Their first leg performance was just out of this world as they scored thrice while conceding just once.

On the other hand, Benfica have also done a decent job in Portugal’s premier league, often refer to as the ‘Primeira Liga’. They have held on to the top 3 spots for a while now and have managed to snatch victory on 20 occasions in 29 outings. But the biggest flex for the club has to be ousting Barcelona by a 3-0 margin in the league stage of the Champions League.

They held them to a draw in the second meeting, implying that they made it to the round of 16 comfortably. In a closely fought contest against Ajax, a 77th-minute screamer from Nunez helped them reach the quarterfinals. With a trail of 1-3 going into the second leg, the Benfica would be itching to script history on Wednesday.

Liverpool vs Benfica Prediction and Betting Odds: Head-to-head

Matches: 5: Liverpool: 2 Benfica: 3 Draw: 0

Last 5 games: Benfica – 3, Liverpool – 2, Draw – 0.

Recent meeting: Liverpool beat Benfica by a 3-1 margin in the 1^st leg of the UEFA Champions league quarterfinals.

Liverpool vs Benfica Prediction and Betting Odds: Players to watch

Liverpool vs Benfica Prediction and Betting Odds: Attack

For Liverpool, Sadio Mane has to continue his good run in the second leg with the Senegalese player in hot form. He has 19 goals and 3 assists in 46 matches along with 78.1% pass success and 2.5 shots per game.

Their prime striker Mo Salah has 30 goals and 12 assists in 46 games with 78.7% pass accuracy. He has a superior rating of 7.50 this season.

Diogo Jota has been amazing in the previous games with 12 goals and 3 assists so far. In addition to his goals and assists, he has 80.1% pass accuracy and creates 2 shots on target.

The Benfica attack will be led by Nunez, Everton, and Mario at the front who were silenced by the impeccable attack of Liverpool in the first leg.

Darwin Nunez is a young talent from Uruguay who has scored 29 goals in 32 games that he has played. He has 62.5% pass accuracy and creates an average of 2.6 shots on target per match.

Benfica has a good header, passes extremely well, and has an accurate finishing touch with an overall rating of 6.81.

Joao Mario’s strengths include key passes, dribbling, and key passes. He has failed to contribute on a consistent basis for the side so far but has a pass accuracy of 89.9% along with 0.6 dribbles per game so far.

Liverpool vs Benfica Prediction and Betting Odds: Defense

The Liverpool defense was tested well against City where they conceded on two occasions. Virgil van Dijk strengths include passing, tackling, and taking long shots. He has 89.8% pass accuracy along with 3.9 aerial duels won on an average in 49 games.

Andrew Robertson will most probably play as the left-back defender for the team who holds on to the ball pretty well and frustrates the opponent’s attack. He has an 83% pass completion rate along with a goal, 16 assists and 1.6 clears in 51 appearances.

Trent Alexander is incredibly good in crosses along with sharp passing skills. He has 78.9% success in passes, 1.3 tackles won the per game, and a rating of 7.50 this season.

The Benfica’s defense would be playing out of their skins to hold on to a clean sheet on Wednesday night. Nicolas Otamendi will be the center back in the eleven who has 88.9% pass accuracy and likes to play long balls. In addition to this, he has 1.7 tackles, 2.1 interceptions, and 3.2 clears per game this season.

Valentino Lazaro will join him to guard the goal post and was exceptional in his last match with 80.7% pass completion rate. He also got 0.4 interceptions and 0.5 clears per game so far.

Andre Almeida will play as the right center back and has great tackling skills. In addition to tackling, he is exceptional in aerial duels winning 1.2 duels per game along with 80.8% pass accuracy. He has a strong rating of 6.42 in this edition.

Liverpool vs Benfica Prediction and Betting Odds: Predictions

Even though Benfica have the slightest advantage, Liverpool has been given the clear edge to secure a victory according to betting experts and platforms.

FCTables has given 74% chance to the Reds while the hosts have been given a meek 9% chance to get a famous win under their belt. Oddschecker has also gone on to heavily back the Premier League giants in what looks like a one-sided contest with every chance of their opponents pulling off a surprise.

Another platform FiveThirtyEight has also put the hosts in the drivers’ seat with a 77% chance whereas the visitors have been given an outside chance of 8% in this clash.