The last time Real Madrid travelled to Lisbon for a Champions League knockout playoff first leg, they left with a 1-0 victory. This time, a slender-advantage-holding Los Blancos side welcomes Benfica to the Bernabeu, only this time, to face an Eagles side managed by a familiar face in Jose Mourinho.
It's Champions League action on Wednesday, February 25, as Real Madrid welcome Benfica to the Bernabeu for the second leg of their playoff tie. Los Blancos boss Alvaro Arbeloa will be aiming to ensure his side finishes the job despite the ongoing fallout from the controversial first leg in Portugal.
📈Team Form📉
🔹 Real Madrid: Second in the La Liga table with 60 points from 25 games.
🔸 Benfica: Recently returned to winning ways in the Primeira Liga with a 3-0 victory.
📊Key Stats & Head-to-Head 📊
🔥 Real Madrid are on a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions before their recent Osasuna loss.
🔥 Real Madrid have won five of their last six games against Portuguese opponents.
🔥 Benfica have lost six of their last eight games against Spanish opposition.
🔥 While Benfica leads the overall H2H battle with three wins to Real Madrid's two, their last major win over Los Blancos was a sensational 5-3 victory in the 1962 European Cup final.
🔬 What to Expect From Both Teams 🔥
⚪Real Madrid | Form: L🔴W🟢W🟢W🟢W🟢L🔴:
Despite holding a slender aggregate lead, Alvaro Arbeloa's side will enter the contest off the back of a disappointing 2-1 loss to Osasuna, and there will need to be a huge improvement in performance if they are to progress.
However, they boast an incredible record in European ties when victorious in the first leg and will look to leverage their Bernabeu fortress against a Benfica side with a poor record in Spain. They have scored freely for much of the season, a feat they will look to repeat against an Eagles side fighting for their European lives.
🔴Benfica | Form: W🟢D🟡W🟢W🟢L🔴W🟢:
Jose Mourinho's side managed to return to winning ways in the league on Saturday, but he will not be on the touchline for this crucial clash after being sent off in the first leg, adding to the tension surrounding the tie.
They have lost 15 of their previous 27 matches against teams from La Liga and have just two wins from their 14 away matches against Spanish clubs. However, they have won eight of their last 11 two-legged European ties and will take heart from their historic 5-3 triumph over Los Blancos on the grandest stage of them all.
👥 Predicted Lineups 👥
⚪Real Madrid (possible):
Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Rüdiger, Carreras, Valverde, Gueler, Tchouameni, Gueler, Mbappé, Vinicius.
🔴Benfica (possible):
Trubin, Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl, Rios, Aursnes, Lukebakio, Rafa, Schjelderup, Pavlidis.
🔥 Matchups & Players to Watch👀
✨ Vinicius Junior — Expected to start and will be determined to let his football do the talking after the first-leg controversy.
✨ Vangelis Pavlidis — The Greek striker has scored 28 times this season and will be Benfica's main threat in the final third.
✨ Kylian Mbappe — Will partner Vinicius up front as Real Madrid look to add to their slender lead.
✨ Dodi Lukebakio — Could be introduced in a wide area to provide creativity for the visitors.
💵Odds Market on MSport💵
💵 Real Madrid/Home to win = 1.50
💵 Benfica/Away to win = 6.24
💵 Both teams to score (GG/NG Yes) = 1.63
💵 Over 2.5 total goals = 1.48
This clash presents a classic clash of European pedigree: a Real Madrid side with a historic knack for closing out ties faces a Benfica team desperate to overturn a deficit despite their manager being banned from the sidelines.
With history offering hope for the visitors, the Bernabeu is set for a compelling Champions League night.
Who do you think will advance to the last 16? Tell us your prediction in the comments.
🔗 You can follow the Real Madrid vs Benfica game here on MSport.
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