Bayern Munich is hosting SL Benfica at Allianz Arena in round 4 of Group E of the UEFA Champions League Soccer. Bayern is back to being their old self in Bundesliga, and they are still at the top of the table in both competitions. Benfica has lost the top spot in the Primeira Liga, but they are still one of the best teams in Portugal.
After losing in the DFB Pokal last week, Bayern has bounced back nicely against Union Berlin this past weekend. Bayern was dominant in that game with 61% of ball possession, 6 shots on goal, 1 corner kick, 4 big chances created, and 86% of the correct passes. With 3 scored goals in the first half and 2 more scored goals in the second half, Bayern has won this game 2-5. Lewandowski is still scoring like there is no tomorrow, and he already has 5 goals to his name in the Champions League. Sane has added 3 assists. Bayern is an outstanding team, their defense is getting better, but they still tend to make mistakes on the defensive end. Bayern is also still without a conceded goal in the Champions League, and they will be advancing from the top spot.
Benfica is in a good situation right now, they are in 2nd place with 4 points, but if they lose this game, and Barcelona wins their games, Benfica will drop to third spot and all their work will have been in vain. Benfica was playing against Estoril on the road in the Primeira Liga this past weekend, and they were solid with 60% of ball possession, 7 shots on goal, 10 corner kicks, 9 big chances created, and 88% of the correct passes. After leading since the 2nd minute, Benfica got sloppy as the game was coming to an end, and the final score was 1-1. With this draw, Benfica has lost the top spot in the Primeira Liga. Nunez is the leading goalscorer for Benfica in the Champions League with 2 goals. In the reverse fixture of this matchup, Benfica was hanging in that game for a while, but they still lost 0-4. This Benfica is a solid team, overall, probably the best in Portugal, but they will need at least 1 more win if they want to have a chance at advancing past the group stage.
Benfica hasn’t won any of their last 3 games against Bayern, but they haven’t lost any of their last 21 games on the road, which is mighty impressive. I think this will be a game where Bayern won’t rush as they don’t need anything right now, but Benfica attacking and leaving themselves open will be inviting to them. There is no value in the over in this game, but there is value in taking first-half goals.