Barcelona will look to reaffirm its status as a Champions League contender when it hosts Benfica in the Round of 16. After securing a 1-0 victory in Portugal, the Catalan side must minimize the risk of any surprises and finish the job at home.
All knockout-stage clashes are intriguing, especially when the underdog has to chase an upset. Kickoff at Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium is set for Tuesday, March 11, at 1:45 p.m. ET.
Here is my Barcelona vs. Benfica prediction and Champions League odds for today's match.
Barcelona vs. Benfica Prediction, Pick, Champions League Odds
| Benfica Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -110 | 3.5 -125o / 100u | +650 |
| Barcelona Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 -125 | 3.5 -125o / 100u | -280 |
- Barcelona vs. Benfica moneyline odds: Barcelona -280, Draw , Benfica +650
- Barcelona vs. Benfica over/under: 3.5 Goals (-125 Over, +100 Under )
- Barcelona vs. Benfica pick: Barcelona ML and over 6.5 corners
I am backing Barcelona to win and to have over 6.5 corners in the Barcelona vs. Benfica match.
Barcelona Prediction
What Hansi Flick has accomplished in his first year as Barcelona’s head coach is remarkable. He has already won the Spanish Super Cup, leads LaLiga, is in the Copa del Rey semifinals, and has turned Barcelona into one of the favorites to win the Champions League.
This is the club’s best moment in the post-Messi era. Barcelona has not reached a Champions League final in a decade, but now dreams of returning on its own merit, aided by what appears to be a favorable path for a deep run.
The 1-0 win against Benfica in Lisbon—despite playing nearly 70 minutes with 10 men after Pau Cubarsí’s red card—was a testament to the team’s resilience. Barcelona had already defeated Benfica in the league phase, winning an epic 5-4 match away.
The squad enters the second leg well-rested, though for an unfortunate reason. One of the club’s doctors, Carles Miñarro, passed away last weekend, leading to the postponement of their domestic league fixture. “I think the team is handling the situation well and is fully focused on the match,” Flick said when asked whether this emotional blow could affect his players.
Benfica Prediction
Benfica is one of Portugal’s most historic clubs, though its European success has been far more elusive. The club won back-to-back continental titles in 1961 and 1962 with a legendary squad led by Eusebio but has since lost every European final it has contested.
According to legend, the club is cursed by Bela Guttmann, the coach who led them to glory before being fired over a salary dispute. The Hungarian manager allegedly vowed that the club would not win another European title for a century—and so far, history has only reinforced that myth.
Benfica reached the Round of 16 after defeating Monaco in the playoffs. The team finished 16th in the group stage and now seems destined for an early exit, which would allow it to shift its focus to the domestic league, where it currently sits second in a tight title race against Sporting CP.
To pull off a miracle comeback, head coach Bruno Lage will have to do without his star player, Angel Di Maria, who is sidelined with a muscle injury. On the bright side, Tomas Araujo and Florentino Luis could return after recovering from their respective injuries.
Barcelona vs. Benfica Pick
Barcelona has averaged 3.2 goals per game in the Champions League, the best scoring rate in the tournament. This attacking firepower will have the perfect opportunity to shine against a Benfica side that must take risks to overturn the deficit, leaving spaces at the back that Barcelona will be eager to exploit.
Benfica will hope to replicate its last victory over Barcelona, a 3-0 win in the 2021 group stage. However, today’s Blaugrana are a much stronger side, boasting attacking options like Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha—both of whom have scored nine goals in this competition.
Betting solely on the Barcelona moneyline isn’t appealing with the odds nearing -300. A smart bet is to build a same-game parlay with the team recording over 6.5 corners. When they control possession, the Catalan side tends to rack up corner kicks by utilizing the full width of the field.
Barcelona vs. Benfica Pick: Barcelona Moneyline and Over 6.5 Corners (+165, DraftKings)
