Real Madrid Clash with Benfica: Bold Predictions and Starting XI Revealed
Real Madrid and Benfica will clash for a spot in the Champions League round of 16 when they meet in the second leg of the knockout phase playoffs on Wednesday evening.
Following a thrilling six-goal encounter during the league phase, both teams adopted a much more cautious approach in the first leg of their eagerly awaited matchup. A spectacular solo strike from Vinicius Junior was the only thing separating Real Madrid and Benfica at the Estádio da Luz last Tuesday.
However, what overshadowed the contest was Gianluca Prestianni's reported racist comments directed at Los Blancos' No. 7. This incident transformed the Champions League fixture into something distasteful, and the football community continues to grapple with it a week later.
Nevertheless, European competition continues, and both sides are now prepared to clash at the Bernabéu, where José Mourinho's squad must overturn their single-goal disadvantage to secure passage to the round of 16. Blocking their path are the 15-time European champions, who will compete with heightened emotion following the disgraceful incidents in Lisbon.
Here's Sports Illustrated's preview of the Champions League encounter.
What Time Does Real Madrid vs. Benfica Kick Off?
What Time Does Real Madrid vs. Benfica Kick Off?
Real Madrid vs. Benfica Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Real Madrid vs. Benfica Head-to-Head Record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Real Madrid (WWWWL) | Benfica (WLWWD) |
|---|---|
Osasuna 2–1 Real Madrid | Benfica 3–0 AVS Futebol SAD |
Benfica 0–1 Real Madrid | Benfica 0–1 Real Madrid |
Real Madrid 4–1 Real Sociedad | Santa Clara 1–2 Benfica |
Valencia 0–2 Real Madrid | Benfica 2–1 Alverca |
Real Madrid 2–1 Rayo Vallecano | Tondela 0–0 Benfica |
How to Watch Real Madrid vs. Benfica on TV, Live Stream
How to Watch Real Madrid vs. Benfica on TV, Live Stream
Country | TV Channel/Live Stream |
|---|---|
United States | Paramount+, TUDN, UniMas, Vix |
United Kingdom | TNT Sports 1 |
Canada | DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada |
Mexico | FOX One |
Real Madrid Team News
Real Madrid Team News
Concerns arose in the Spanish capital when Kylian Mbappé was unable to complete his training session on Tuesday, with reports suggesting the Frenchman will be absent from the second leg due to his persistent knee problem. Should he be unavailable, Gonzalo García is expected to fill his position in attack.
Real Madrid continue to be without the injured Éder Militão and Jude Bellingham. Both players are anticipated to remain sidelined until after the March international break with respective hamstring problems.
Dani Ceballos has joined his two colleagues in the medical room after sustaining a calf problem over the weekend. Dean Huijsen is also confined to the infirmary, though the defender's minor muscle issue should allow him to return this weekend. Until then, Raúl Asencio will occupy his position in central defense.
Rodrygo remains unavailable due to a hamstring problem, but the Brazilian would have been absent from the fixture regardless of his fitness after receiving a red card in the team's final league phase match. The winger's protest resulted in a two-game suspension. Without him, Álvaro Arbeloa will maintain an attacking duo of Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappé.
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Benfica
Real Madrid Predicted Lineup vs. Benfica
Real Madrid predicted lineup vs. Benfica (4-4-2): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Rüdiger, Carreras; Valverde, Güler, Tchouaméni, Camavinga; Gonzalo, Vinicius Junior.
Benfica Team News
Benfica Team News
Both Mourinho and Prestianni will be absent from the second leg of the knockout phase playoffs. The manager faces suspension after his dismissal in Lisbon last week, while the winger is also banned as UEFA examines Vinicius Jr's allegations.
The positive news for Benfica is that the squad is significantly healthier than during the first leg. Dodi Lukébakio has recovered from an ankle injury over the weekend and is set to feature on the right flank in Prestianni's absence.
Richard Ríos has also returned from a shoulder injury and could earn selection alongside Fredrik Aursnes in the team's central midfield pairing. These two players will provide protection in front of an unchanged defensive line, captained by Nicolás Otamendi.
Only the injured Samuel Soares and Joao Veloso are anticipated to be unavailable for the encounter with Real Madrid.
Benfica Predicted Lineup vs. Real Madrid
Benfica Predicted Lineup vs. Real Madrid
Benfica predicted lineup vs. Real Madrid (4-4-2): Trubin; Dedić, T. Araújo, Otamendi, Dahl; Ríos, Aursnes; Lukébakio, Silva, Schjelderup; Pavlidis.
Real Madrid vs. Benfica Score Prediction
Real Madrid vs. Benfica Score Prediction
Being behind by one goal, Benfica must adopt an attacking approach against Real Madrid, discarding their defensive strategy from the first leg. The visitors will undoubtedly create opportunities to exploit Los Blancos' unreliable defensive line, which has managed only two clean sheets in their last six fixtures.
As long as Benfica commits players forward, there will be openings for the hosts to capitalize on during counter-attacks. Vinicius Jr excels in transition play and requires just one opportunity to create magic, even from seemingly impossible situations.
There may not be a decisive result when the referee blows the final whistle after 90 minutes, but Real Madrid's single-goal lead from the first leg will be sufficient to carry them through to the round of 16 on aggregate.
Prediction: Real Madrid 1–1 Benfica (Real Madrid advance 2–1 on aggregate)