The best Football
Predictions
Benfica
Champions League
League Stage
Wed , Dec 11 , 2024 21:00
0 - 0
Bologna
Benfica
Bologna
0 - 0
Benfica welcome Bologna to the Estádio da Luz for a crucial UEFA Champions League (UCL) clash that could define their path to the knockout stages. With a five-match winning streak in competitive fixtures, including a solid run in the Liga Portugal and Taça de Portugal, Benfica are in excellent form. They’ve managed three wins and two losses in their UCL group so far, but a victory here would ensure they remain firmly in contention for a top-24 finish. Bologna, on the other hand, have struggled in their UCL debut campaign, collecting just one point from five matches and failing to score a goal from open play, setting up an uphill battle for the visitors.
In this analysis, we’ll break down the current form and key tactics of both teams, assessing their strengths and weaknesses ahead of this important encounter. While Benfica have been strong domestically, their historical record against Italian sides is a concern. Meanwhile, Bologna’s struggles in Europe and their poor away form have left them fighting for survival in this group. Let’s dive deeper into both teams’ performances, key players, and what to expect from this match.
Benfica’s impressive form in domestic competitions has kept them in the hunt for the Liga Portugal title, and they are also progressing well in the Taça de Portugal. In the UCL, they’ve had a mixed bag of results with three wins and two losses, but they’re in a strong position to advance with a victory here. However, Benfica’s home form in European competitions has been shaky, with only one win in their last six UCL home games (D1, L4). They’ll need to overcome this historical trend, but their current form in competitive matches, winning 10 of their last 11 games, should give them plenty of confidence.
Tactically, Benfica play with a high pressing system and quick transitions, spearheaded by experienced players like Ángel Di María. The Argentine international is in fine form, with his assists tally reaching 38 in the UCL, just three behind the all-time record held by Ryan Giggs. His vision and creativity will be crucial in unlocking Bologna’s defense. Despite their historical issues against Italian teams, Benfica’s attacking prowess, solid defensive record, and home advantage make them favorites for this matchup.
Bologna’s UCL debut has been nothing short of a struggle, with just one point to show from five games (D1, L4) and a frustrating lack of goals. They’re the only team in the competition yet to score a goal from open play, failing to find the net despite 41 attempts. With only two games remaining, Bologna face a daunting task to avoid early elimination from the tournament. Their domestic form in Serie A has been more promising, with a solid record of five wins, seven draws, and just two losses, but their European woes have cast a long shadow over their performances.
Bologna’s tactics revolve around a disciplined defensive setup, but their inability to break down opposition in the UCL has been their undoing. Their recent travels in Europe have yielded some positive results, including scoring seven goals in their last four away games (W2, D1, L1), but their record in Portugal has not been strong. With a negative head-to-head record against Portuguese teams (W2, D1, L1), Bologna will need to raise their game significantly to stand a chance in this matchup.
Our experts expect Benfica to dominate possession and create numerous chances, particularly with Di María pulling the strings in midfield. Bologna, on the other hand, will likely sit back and attempt to absorb pressure, hoping to capitalize on any counter-attacks or set pieces. However, given their lack of attacking potency in the UCL, it’s difficult to see them breaking down Benfica’s defense. The hosts have been solid defensively and should have more than enough firepower to secure a win, even with their mixed record against Italian teams.
With Bologna struggling in the UCL and Benfica finding their rhythm in domestic competitions, it’s likely that the home side will emerge victorious. Bologna may offer some resistance, but their inability to score from open play in the tournament is a major concern, and they’ll need a near-perfect performance to pull off an upset here.
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Our predicted score is Benfica 2-1 Bologna. We suggest betting on Both Teams to Score (BTTS). While Benfica are likely to win, Bologna have shown some attacking promise in their recent away games, and given Benfica's defensive inconsistencies in UCL home fixtures, we expect the visitors to find the net at least once. With Benfica's attacking strength and Bologna’s ability to cause problems, a 2-1 scoreline with both teams scoring seems like the most plausible outcome.
4-2-3-1
4-4-2
Benfica
Bologna
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D
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| 11.12.2024. | Benfica | VS | Bologna | 0-0 |
D
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| 07.12.2024. | Benfica | VS | Vitória SC | 1-0 |
W
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| 01.12.2024. | Arouca | VS | Benfica | 0-2 |
W
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| 27.11.2024. | Monaco | VS | Benfica | 2-3 |
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| 23.11.2024. | Benfica | VS | Estrela Amadora | 7-0 |
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| 10.11.2024. | Benfica | VS | Porto | 4-1 |
W
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| 06.11.2024. | Bayern Munich | VS | Benfica | 1-0 |
L
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| 02.11.2024. | Farense | VS | Benfica | 1-2 |
W
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| 27.10.2024. | Benfica | VS | Rio Ave | 5-0 |
W
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| 11.12.2024. | Benfica | VS | Bologna | 0-0 |
D
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| 07.12.2024. | Benfica | VS | Vitória SC | 1-0 |
W
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| 23.11.2024. | Benfica | VS | Estrela Amadora | 7-0 |
W
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| 10.11.2024. | Benfica | VS | Porto | 4-1 |
W
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| 27.10.2024. | Benfica | VS | Rio Ave | 5-0 |
W
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| 23.10.2024. | Benfica | VS | Feyenoord | 1-3 |
L
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| 02.10.2024. | Benfica | VS | Atletico Madrid | 4-0 |
W
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| 28.09.2024. | Benfica | VS | Gil Vicente | 5-1 |
W
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| 14.09.2024. | Benfica | VS | Santa Clara | 4-1 |
W
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| 24.08.2024. | Benfica | VS | Estrela Amadora | 1-0 |
W
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| 15.12.2024. | AVS | VS | Benfica | 1-1 |
D
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| 01.12.2024. | Arouca | VS | Benfica | 0-2 |
W
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| 27.11.2024. | Monaco | VS | Benfica | 2-3 |
W
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| 06.11.2024. | Bayern Munich | VS | Benfica | 1-0 |
L
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| 02.11.2024. | Farense | VS | Benfica | 1-2 |
W
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| 19.10.2024. | Pevidem | VS | Benfica | 0-2 |
W
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| 06.10.2024. | Nacional | VS | Benfica | 0-2 |
W
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| 23.09.2024. | Boavista | VS | Benfica | 0-3 |
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| 19.09.2024. | Crvena Zvezda | VS | Benfica | 1-2 |
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| 30.08.2024. | Moreirense | VS | Benfica | 1-1 |
D
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| 15.12.2024. | Bologna | VS | Fiorentina | 1-0 |
W
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| 11.12.2024. | Benfica | VS | Bologna | 0-0 |
D
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| 07.12.2024. | Juventus | VS | Bologna | 2-2 |
D
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| 03.12.2024. | Bologna | VS | Monza | 4-0 |
W
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| 30.11.2024. | Bologna | VS | Venezia | 3-0 |
W
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| 27.11.2024. | Bologna | VS | Lille | 1-2 |
L
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| 24.11.2024. | Lazio | VS | Bologna | 3-0 |
L
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| 10.11.2024. | Roma | VS | Bologna | 2-3 |
W
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| 05.11.2024. | Bologna | VS | Monaco | 0-1 |
L
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| 02.11.2024. | Bologna | VS | Lecce | 1-0 |
W
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| 15.12.2024. | Bologna | VS | Fiorentina | 1-0 |
W
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| 03.12.2024. | Bologna | VS | Monza | 4-0 |
W
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| 30.11.2024. | Bologna | VS | Venezia | 3-0 |
W
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| 27.11.2024. | Bologna | VS | Lille | 1-2 |
L
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| 05.11.2024. | Bologna | VS | Monaco | 0-1 |
L
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| 02.11.2024. | Bologna | VS | Lecce | 1-0 |
W
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| 06.10.2024. | Bologna | VS | Parma | 0-0 |
D
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| 28.09.2024. | Bologna | VS | Atalanta | 1-1 |
D
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| 18.09.2024. | Bologna | VS | Shakhtar Donetsk | 0-0 |
D
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| 31.08.2024. | Bologna | VS | Empoli | 1-1 |
D
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| 11.12.2024. | Benfica | VS | Bologna | 0-0 |
D
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| 07.12.2024. | Juventus | VS | Bologna | 2-2 |
D
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| 24.11.2024. | Lazio | VS | Bologna | 3-0 |
L
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| 10.11.2024. | Roma | VS | Bologna | 2-3 |
W
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| 29.10.2024. | Cagliari | VS | Bologna | 0-2 |
W
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| 22.10.2024. | Aston Villa | VS | Bologna | 2-0 |
L
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| 19.10.2024. | Genoa | VS | Bologna | 2-2 |
D
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| 02.10.2024. | Liverpool | VS | Bologna | 2-0 |
L
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| 22.09.2024. | Monza | VS | Bologna | 1-2 |
W
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| 14.09.2024. | Como | VS | Bologna | 2-2 |
D
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Daniel Garcia is originally from Basque Country, and as a kid who grew up just a few streets from Mendizorrotza Stadium, the choice of Deportivo Alavés as his favourite club is more than obvious. Because of his studies, he moved to Madrid where he graduated in Sports Journalism. Daniel plays football on the weekends, but that does not stop him from watching all La Liga matches. He believes that the outcome of a match can be predicted if all the parameters are analyzed well, including form of the players and weather conditions. Currently he is living in Belgrade, and is in love with a Serbian girl who works as a journalist at one of the famous Sport Channels in Serbia.
