UEFA Champions League: PSG vs. Benfica Preview, Odds, Prediction

Lionel Messi is out for the Saints for a while, which will be a huge handicap for PSG against Benfica. The Saints are in a comfortable position in Group H of the UEFA Champions League right now, but with this win here, they are pretty much solving all of their problems. That’s why they need to be as shape as possible, not only because of Messi, whose condition will be further evaluated following a calf injury. Just to remind, the Argentinian picked up an injury last week in Lisbon. This will be a perfect moment for some payback.

Preview

PSG (-295) played without goals in Reims, which is the first time since the campaign started that the Saints couldn’t score. We had to wait for 14 games before seeing this. It appears that Messi’s absence in the attack left a gap, and despite PSG’s domination, they couldn’t breach the rivals.

The Saints had seven wins before the latest back-to-back draws, one in Lisbon and the other in Reims. They are still without a defeat this year, with only three ties in 14 events, and 11 triumphs besides that.

PSG’s record at home is four wins and one draw, with a goal difference of 11-5, which isn’t too impressive when well look at the results outside Par des Princes.

Benfica (+650) is without a failure as well, only their stretch is a bit longer, 16 events. The Eagles began their campaign earlier due to the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. Nevertheless, this unit has 14 wins and two draws on its account, which is respectable.

They had back-to-back draws against Vitoria Guimaraes and PSG, but then beat Rio Ave this Saturday, 4-2, in one exciting battle at La Luz. The fans saw fireworks, and we have to admit that Rio Ave fought bravely.

The Eagles had eight games on the road this year, and in five of them scored two or more goals. Up until the last one in Vitoria, the Portuguese powerhouse won seven times in a row.

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Messi is out, and he will be for a few weeks. We really don’t need to waste time explaining how big a blow this is for the hosts. Kimpembe, Mendes, Pembele, and Sanches are all injured.

Head to Head Games

The first meeting saw a draw, 1-1, at La Luz. Both goals came in the opening 45 minutes, with Messi netting for the guests and Danilo hitting his own net to level the score. As time went by, especially in the second half, we saw the Saints increasing the pace and pressuring the rivals but unable to break the lock of Benfica’s goal.

Prediction

PSG will try to smash the Eagles, who defied them very firmly in Lisbon and also injured Messi. That is the mindset of the Saints coming into this contest. Believe us, the fans are thirsty for revenge here, meaning that Mbappe, Neymar, and the others will rush to score as many goals as possible and try to inflict one painful defeat on Benfica. Our pick here is the hosts’ win, but the odds are low, and we are increasing the profits with PSG covering a 1.5-goal spread.

Pick: PSG -1.5

Here are more UEFA Champions League previews:

• AC Milan vs. Chelsea
• Barcelona vs. Inter Milan
• Rangers vs. Liverpool
• Celtic vs. RB Leipzig