Benfica play host to Ajax at the Estadio da Luz in the first leg of their last-16 clash of the Champions League on Wednesday. Kickoff set for 23rd February 2022 23:00 EAT.
Nelson Verissimo’s side finished second in Group E to advance to the knockout rounds with 8 points from 6 matches. In the last five matches, Benfica has had two wins, two losses and one share spoils. Benfica have been on a persistent run of goalscoring form, scoring in all of their last 6 games racking up 11 during that time while also conceding a total of 7.
Benfica will be hoping for better results following a 2-2 Primeira Liga drawn game versus Boavista. In that match, Benfica managed 56% possession and 8 attempts at goal with 3 on target. For Benfica, the scorers were Adel Taarabt (21′) and Álex Grimaldo (30′). For their opponents, Boavista had 14 shots at goal with 4 of them on target. Gustavo Sauer (74′) and Gaius Makouta (80′) scored for Boavista.
Ajax meanwhile strolled through Group C finishing top without dropping single points having 18 points from six matches. In the last matches they recorded five wins in the last five matches. In the last six outings the number of goals they scored themselves stands at 25.
The visitor’s side will be hoping to keep up their winning streak following a 0-1 Eredivisie win to beat Willem II in their last match. In that game, Ajax managed 72% possession and 30 shots at goal with 5 of them on target. The only player to score for Ajax was Jurriën Timber (81′). For their opponents, Willem II got 6 shots on goal with 1 of them on target.
Benfica vs Ajax head to head
These two teams has had 4 encounters since 2009 with Ajax having two wins and Benfica one victory and one match ended in a stalemate.
- Benfica Lisbon 1-1 Ajax 07/11/18
- Ajax 1-0 Benfica Lisbon 23/10/18
- Benfica Lisbon 0-1 Ajax 26/07/14
- Ajax 2-3 Benfica Lisbon 26/07/09
Home
- Boavista Porto 2-2 Benfica Lisbon
- Benfica Lisbon 2-1 Santa Clara Azores
- Tondela 1-3 Benfica Lisbon
- Benfica Lisbon 1-2 Vicente Barcelos
- Benfica Lisbon 1-2 Sporting Lisbon
Away
- Willem II 0-1 Ajax
- Ajax 5-0 Enschede
- Ajax 5-0 Vitesse
- Ajax 3-0 Almelo
- Eindhoven 1-2 Ajax
Benfica team news
Nélson Veríssimo will be without the services of Haris Seferovic, Lucas Veríssimo and Rodrigo Pinho due to injury.
Ajax team news
Erik ten Hag will be without the services of Zakaria Labyad Mohamed Ihattaren , Sean Klaiber (Cruciate , Brian Brobbey and Maarten Stekelenburg due to injuries.
Prediction and Odds
We’re expecting fierce encounter with Ajax taking the lead at the end.
- Ajax win
- Draw
- Both teams to score
