Champions League: Juventus Walking on Eggshells Against High-Flying Benfica

Juventus vs Benfica

Juventus are looking for a huge turnaround when they’ll host Benfica for their next Champions League group stage game this Wednesday.

It’s been a turbulent ride for the supporters in Turin as wins have been hard to come by, and now they find themselves at eighth place in the Serie A standings.

On the other hand, Benfica have been taking care of business at the Primeira Liga with a 100-per cent record after their first six games and they’re hoping that their early success would translate here in the Champions League.

Talking Points

Tough luck for Juventus

Arek Milik’s goal in stoppage time against Salernitana would’ve brought the house down in Turin. But after a questionable VAR review, the goal was chalked off since Leonardo Bonucci appeared to be offside – only for a further check to be revealed that Antonio Candreva was playing him onside.

It’s been that kind of week for Juventus and they’ve now wasted points in four of their last five league games. Their two wins so far this term were against bottom half sides Sassuolo and Spezia.

Following their defeat to PSG last week, I Bianconeri couldn’t afford another banana peel in Group H, especially since the Parisiens are likely to claim the top spot.

Juventus continue to be plagued by injuries this season. Not only do they have long-term absentees Federico Chiesa and Paul Pogba out, but Manuel Locatelli, Adrien Rabiot, Angel Di Maria, and Wojciech Szczesny all missed out last weekend and are listed as doubtful for this game.

Juan Cuadrado and Arek Milik were both given reds against Salernitana, but it only applies to Serie A so they are available to play on Wednesday.

Dusan Vlahovic will continue to lead the line since he’s Juve’s top scorer currently at four goals, while another man to watch out for is summer acquisition Filip Kostic as he has been involved in five goals in his last five European appearances – including their only goal against PSG.

Benfica in superb form

Since losing to Porto in May, Benfica have been in scintillating form as they’re enjoying a 17-game winning streak where they’ve scored 47 goals and keeping 10 clean sheets.

The Eagles cruised through the Champions League qualifiers against Midtjylland and Dynamo Kyiv, and they’re fresh from a convincing victory over Maccabi Haifa in their first group stage match.

Despite losing Darwin Nunez this summer, Benfica have a dangerous attacking corps that can cause problems to Juventus’ porous defence. Goncalo Ramos, Rafa Silva, and Julian Draxler are likely to start out front, while David Neres and Joao Mario are to deputise when needed.

Alex Grimaldo is another player who can create Champions League 2022 highlights for the Eagles. The 26-year-old has been involved in four goals in his last four Champions League games despite playing as their left-back.

History

Wednesday’s game marks the first competitive meeting between Juventus and Benfica since the 2013-14 Europa League semi-finals where the Portuguese side won 2-1 on aggregate.

Juventus have only won one of their last six matchups against Benfica in European competition (D1, L4). The lone win was a 3-0 result in the UEFA Cup quarter-finals back in 1992/93.

The Old Lady have only lost one of their nine home games against Portuguese sides in European competition (W7, D1), with the only defeat coming against Benfica (1-0 in 1967/68 Champions League semi-finals). Their last win against a Portuguese team was against Porto in the Champions League last term (3-2).

Benfica have lost 10 of their last 12 road matches against Serie A sides (D1, W1) and their only victory came against Fiorentina in the 1996/97 Cup Winners Cup. The Eagles have suffered defeat in all three of their visits to Italy thus far in the Champions League.

I Bianconeri have already lost their last two Champions League matches. The last time that they lost three straight in this tournament was way back in 1972.

Betting Tip

Juventus have the edge in the SBOTOP Champions League 2022 odds. I Bianconeri are priced at 2.23 to win, while Benfica are installed at 3.10 and a draw is at 3.35 in the 1X2 market.

Initially, I picked Juventus to take the second spot behind PSG in Group H. But considering what has happened lately, perhaps Benfica appear now to be the favourites.

Either way, expect this to be a hard-fought match between these two sides. But Benfica should able to edge their hosts via a slim margin.

 

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