Champions League: Benfica and Bayern Munich Reach for the Summit

Benfica vs Bayern Munich

Two of the top clubs in Group E of the Champions League are set to lock horns as Benfica host Bayern Munich at the Estadio de Luz this Wednesday.

Bayern Munich are sitting comfortably on top of the group with six points and would prefer to confirm their berth as soon as possible, whereas Benfica are right behind them at second with four points and they can overtake their visitors should they win.

Dynamo Kiev and Barcelona round out the group with one and zero points each and a crucial match awaits them in the midweek as well.

With two guaranteed spots to the next round for the top two teams, grabbing points is essential in these next three matchdays.

The pre-match SBOTOP betting odds have Bayern Munich easily winning this match given their overall quality but Benfica have proven in recent weeks that they’re no chopped liver.

Like the Bavarian giants, the Eagles have won three of their last four games in all competitions and they’re keen on maintaining their fine form with another positive result here.

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Talking Points

Former Bundesliga standouts doubtful for Benfica

The Eagles have quality players who can make a difference for them in this match and they hope that their familiarity against the Bundesliga champions will give them some sort of an advantage.

Former Hertha and Borussia Monchengladbach attacking midfielder Valentino Lazaro and ex-Eintracht Frankfurt striker Haris Seferovic are two of the recognisable names for Jorge Jesus’ side. However, both are considered doubtful to play because of injuries.

Should the two miss this game, Benfica will have to rely on the front three of Darwin Nunez, Rafa Silva, and Roman Yaremchuk – who all impressed so far in their Champions League campaign.

Meanwhile, other former Bundesliga players in Julian Weigl, Odysseas Vlachodimos, and Nemanja Radonjic are expected to play big roles for this fixture as well.

Following their win over Barcelona, Benfica suffered a defeat at home to Portimonense in their most recent league outing but they bounced back with a victory at the Portuguese cup against Trofense last Saturday.

Team manager Jorge Jesus will have his work cut out for him in trying to prepare his boys for their toughest assignment yet.

Bayern Munich are virtually unstoppable

2nd Alt Text Bayern Munich top scorer Robert Lewandowski will help his team secure their third win in the 2021-22 Champions League — Robert Lewandowski celebrates after scoring for Bayern Munich against Bayer Leverkusen during their recent Bundesliga match

Bayern Munich recently sent a huge statement to everyone in the Bundesliga and they plan to do the same here as they prepare for their trip to Portugal.

With Bayer Leverkusen looking like a perennial Bundesliga title contender, Bayern Munich gave them a harsh beating with a score of 5-1 in the last time out.

Goalscoring king Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry each had a brace while Thomas Muller added one of his own for the Bavarians and they essentially wrapped the game up by half-time.

Because of their busy schedule, Julian Nagelsmann is expected to rotate his lineup for this upcoming match.

Benjamin Pavard, who was suspended in their games against Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen, should return as their right-back while Niklas Sule will start alongside Dayot Upamecano at central defence.

Canadian star Alphonso Davies won’t be available due to a hamstring injury so Lucas Hernandez could be moved as their starting left-back.

History

In the head-to-heads between these two sides, Bayern Munich have the outright advantage with five wins and three draws.

Their most recent meeting took place in 2018 where the Bavarians grounded the Eagles 5-1 courtesy of goals from Arjen Robben, Robert Lewandowski, and Franck Ribery, while Gedson Fernandes scored the consolation goal for the Portuguese side.

Bayern Munich are undefeated in their last 19 away matches in the Champions League since losing to PSG 3-0 in 2017 and they’ve netted 54 goals during the said run (W15, D4).

Benfica have recorded a clean sheet in each of their last three Champions League fixtures (W2, D1), which is their joint-longest run in the competition since 2006 under then-manager Ronald Koeman.

Betting Tip

	Benfica vs Bayern Munich	Bayern Munich Asian Handicap -1.25 @ 1.89
	October 21, 03:00 (GMT+8)

The Champions League 2021 odds have Bayern Munich installed as the overwhelming favourites for this contest.

Bayern Munich are priced at 1.39 to win, while Benfica are pegged at 7.00 and chances for a draw are at 4.80 in the 1×2 market.

Julian Nagelsmann’s men come into this game with high confidence but Benfica should give them a tricky test this Wednesday.

Benfica made headlines in the Champions League 2021 news when they hammered Barcelona last month. However, it would be too much of an ask for them to replicate the same result against the defending Bundesliga champions especially given their aging backline.