Champions League: Benfica Battle PSG for Group H Supremacy

Benfica vs Paris Saint-Germain

Group H is the only Champions League group where two teams have won both of their games. And as it so happens, those two teams – Benfica vs Paris Saint-Germain – will face off for the first of their two back-to-back meetings, with at least one team’s perfect start set to come to an end.

Speaking of perfect, the Parisiens have been almost perfect to start the season. They are still unbeaten through 12 games in all competitions, with 11 wins.

However, they better not underestimate Benfica, who already defeated Juventus in Turin and have been near-perfect in their own right this season.

Talking Points

Benfica look to bounce back after perfect start snapped

Benfica have been among the most in-form teams in Europe this season. The Eagles are soaring atop the Portugese Liga Nos with seven wins and a draw in eight games with a +16 goal difference (19 goals scored, 3 conceded).

They have also won each of their first two Champions League games, which included a big 2-1 win against Juventus at the Allianz Stadium.

However, Benfica’s previously perfect start to the season finally came to an end as they were held to a goalless draw by mid-table Vitoria Guimaraes. It was quite a surprisingly disappointing display by coach Roger Schmidt’s side as they had just six shots, one on target.

Perhaps the players were guilty looking ahead to their big Champions League clash with PSG in midweek. Julian Draxler, who is on loan from PSG, will almost surely be looking forward to this match as he tries to produce some Champions League 2022 highlights against his parent club. The German has made four appearances for Benfica thus far, scoring one goal.

But Draxler is unlikely to start against PSG, with Schmidt expected to stick with his preferred front four of Goncalo Ramos, David Neres, Rafa Silva, and Joao Mario. Portuguese internationals Silva and Joao Mario are both having strong seasons as they already have four goals and two assists apiece in the league.

PSG’s Holy Trinity in fantastic form

It has been a near-perfect season thus far for Paris Saint-Germain. The French champions are top of Ligue 1 with eight wins and a draw in their first nine games. Meanwhile, they have won their first two games in the Champions League.

PSG extended their current win streak to seven games with a 2-1 win against Nice over the weekend. Lionel Messi remained in fantastic form as he opening the scoring with a terrific free-kick. The Argentine has now scored seven goals in his last five games for club and country.

That run began with a brilliant performance in a 3-1 win against Maccabi Haifa in the Champions League as he had a goal and an assist.

Strike partners Neymar and Kylian Mbappe also got on the scoresheet against Maccabi Haifa. The two are in similarly fine form this season; Mbappe has already banged in 11  goals in 10 games, while Neymar has eight goals and seven assists in Ligue 1.

The three are also responsible for all five of PSG’s Champions League goals thus far as they are showing the form that makes their Champions League 2022 odds of finally winning the title quite appealing.

Centre-back Presnel Kimpembe is still out with a hamstring injury, so Danilo Pereira will continue to deputise alongside captain Marquinhos and Sergio Ramos.

Meanwhile, coach Christophe Galtier is spoilt for choice in midfield, with the likes of Marco Verratti, Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, Renato Sanches, and Carlos Soler all at his disposal.

History

Benfica and PSG have squared off just twice in the Champions League. Both matches came in the 2013/14 Champions League group stage.

PSG won 3-0 at home thanks to a Zlatan Ibrahimovic brace. Marquinhos also featured in that match and scored a goal.

However, Benfica got the better of the French giants in the reverse fixture in Lisbon as they battled back from a goal down to beat PSG 2-1.

Betting Tip

SBOTOP odds have PSG installed as 1.73 favourites to maintain their perfect Champions League record, while Benfica are priced at 3.80 to pull off the home win. A draw is 4.30.

As their form this season has shown, Benfica will not simply bow down to PSG. The hosts will battle hard and give the French champions all they can handle.

Of course, with the trio of Neymar, Messi and Mbappe in such wonderful form, PSG are quite capable of claiming the victory. But Benfica will likely make them work for it in what I expect to be a low-scoring affair.

 

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