Benfica will meet Liverpool in the first leg of the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League Tuesday. Kickoff from Estádio da Luz is set for 3 p.m. ET. Below, we preview the Benfica vs. Liverpool odds and lines, and make our best Champions League bets, picks and predictions.
Liverpool, which sits second on the EPL table and will challenge Manchester City for the top spot, advanced on aggregate against Inter. It won 2-1, losing the second leg 1-0 in the first knockout round.
Liverpool is led by the EPL’s leading scorer, F Mohamed Salah. It features D Virgil van Dijk on a backline that sits second in the EPL in goals allowed. Liverpool is a heavy favorite despite being on the road.
As for Benfica, it sits in 3rd place in the Primeira Liga, the top league in Portugal.
It has scored 70 and allowed 28 in 28 games. It advanced by defeating Ajax 3-2, drawing 2-2 in the first leg. Benfica is led by 22-year-old Uruguay F Darwin Núñez. Nunez has 21 goals on the season.
Benfica vs. Liverpool: Odds, picks and predictions
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Benfica +650 (bet $100 to win $650) | Liverpool -250 (bet $250 to win $100) | Draw +400
- Over/Under: 2.5 (O: -160 | U: +125)
[tipico]
Prediction
Liverpool 3, Benfica 1
Money line (ML)
PASS.
There isn’t a lot I like here. Liverpool at -250 on the road is far pricey. I even think betting on either team to, or not to, score is a difficult play considering how teams play outside of their league.
The total will be the best way to play this game.
Over/Under (O/U)
BET on the OVER 2.5 (-160).
It’s a bit pricey, but it’s the best way to play this.
Liverpool has the EPL’s most dynamic offense, and its dominance should continue here. Salah and F Sadio Mané are a dynamic duo and should pose a huge challenge.
Benfica also has a terrific attack behind Nunez. It scored 7 and allowed 9 in group stage. Considering it hasn’t taken on a team of Liverpool’s caliber, it should struggle to keep up.
Liverpool has scored 77 times in 30 league games while Benfica has been just as amazing offensively. I expect both to have ample opportunity to score. I’d play the price on OVER 2.5 (-160) over the plus-money value at 3.5 (+155).
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