Bayern Munich vs Benfica – UCL November 2018 Preview and Scores
Preview
Bayern Munich will book their place in the last 16 of the Champions League if they can defeat Benfica on Tuesday night.
Team News
Bayern Munich
A draw will be enough to send Nico Kovac’s boys through to the next round and almost five years have passed since a side other than Real Madrid beat Bayern on their own patch in this competition. They will be looking to continue that record and use it to their favour.
The Germans were comfortable winners when these teams met in Portugal in the opening game of the group.
Bayern Munich have a host of injured players, with Thiago, James Rodriguez and Corentin Tolisso all to injury, although Arjen Robben is pushing for a return from injury after coming off the bench on Saturday.
The Bavarians have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five home victories in this competition, while Benfica have drawn a blank in six of their last seven Champions League defeats away from home
Furthermore, eight of Bayern’s last nine home wins in this competition have been by, at least, a two-goal margin
Bayern proposed starting eleven:
Neuer; Alaba, Boateng, Hummels, Kimmich; Martinez, Robben, Müller, Alcántara, Ríbery; Lewandowski
Benfica
Benfica, meanwhile, trail second-placed Ajax by four points, so they must win their last two group games to stand any chance of avoiding an early exit from the competition.
They have also been in reasonable form, having won their last two matches on the bounce. However, they’re currently four points off leaders Porto in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, and will have to scrap it out with Sporting CP and Braga in what looks set to be an enthralling title race this season.
Eduardo Salvio is expected to miss out for the visitors. Veteran Brazilian striker Jonas has scored four goals in four games and will likely lead the line for Vitoria’s team
Benfica Proposed starting eleven:
Vlachodimos; Almeida, Dias, Jardel, Grimaldo; Pizzi, Fejsa, Fernandes; Salvio, Seferovic, Rafa
Head to head
The teams have met nine times in Uefa competitions, with Bayern winning six times and Benfica three.
Their last meeting came earlier in this season’s group stages, with Bayern winning 2-0 in Lisbon courtesy of goals from Robert Lewandowski and Renato Sanches
