Benfica vs RB Salzburg Match Analysis and Prediction

Benfica vs Salzburg Match Analysis & Prediction

Benfica

20/09/2023 10:00 pm

Salzburg

by Vincent

6 days ago 0 39

DISCLAIMER: All odds are quoted at time the prediction went live. Check the sports book for updated odds

Benfica and RB Salzburg will kick off their respective Champions League campaigns on Wednesday night, when they meet at the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica in the opening round of group-stage fixtures.

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The hosts reached the quarter-finals of last year’s competition, while their visitors dropped out of their group and into an unsuccessful Europa League playoff bid.

Benfica secured a spot in the 2023-24 Champions League group stage after winning the 38th Primeira Liga title in their history last season.

Roger Schmidt’s side head into the start of the new group stage having played five matches of their league title defence so far, starting the season with a victory over rivals Porto in the Supertaca Candido de Oliveira.

Having suffered a losing start against Boavista, As Aguias put four straight victories together to establish themselves in the Primeira Liga’s leading pack, most recently following up a 4-0 thrashing of Vitoria de Guimaraes with a 2-1 victory over Vizela on Saturday, through Petar Musa’s opener and Angel Di Maria’s 39th-minute free-kick.

Benfica meet an RB Salzburg side who will also look to start on the front foot in their bid to reach the Champions League knockout stage for just the second time in their history, after falling short of qualifying last year.

Under the new management of Gerhard Struber, Salzburg have enjoyed a fine start to the new season in their bid to win an 11th straight Austrian Bundesliga title, starting with six successive victories, scoring 16 goals and only conceding twice in the process.

Salzburg dropped points for the first time this season in a 2-2 draw away at Sturm Graz on Saturday, having earned a share of the spoils through Sekou Koita’s 73rd-minute penalty after Samson Baidoo had initially put them ahead.

Benfica vs. Salzburg Head to head

This will be the first meeting between these two teams.

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Benfica

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Champions League

Benfica Team News

Schmidt may opt to deploy an unchanged Benfica starting XI from their league win at the weekend, with Anatoliy Trubin again set to start in goal, having earned his debut for the club against Vizela.

Fellow summer signing Angel Di Maria will line up on the right wing, with Joao Mario set to operate on the other flank in support of lone striker Petar Musa.

Benfica's Last 5 Matches

14/08/2023

Boavista

3

Benfica

2

Primeira Liga
19/08/2023

Benfica

2

Estrela

0

Primeira Liga
26/08/2023

Gil Vicente

2

Benfica

3

Primeira Liga
02/09/2023

Benfica

4

Vitoria Guimaraes

0

Primeira Liga
16/09/2023

Vizela

1

Benfica

2

Primeira Liga

Salzburg Team News

Salzburg’s attack on Wednesday should be spearheaded by 19-year-old Karim Konate, who has already managed six goals and two assists in eight appearances across league and cup action so far this season.

Konate should start alongside Roko Simic, although Sekou Koita does also have a claim to come in from the start up front, having moved onto three goals for the season with his equaliser off the bench at the weekend.