Benfica start their 2024/2025 UEFA Champions League charge with a trip to Belgrade, Serbia, to face Crvena Zvezda, who haven't lost a single game in their domestic league this season.
However, despite the hosts' invisible start to the new season, Benfica are touted as the favourites to win this encounter by bookmakers, and that is due to the quality of players in their squad and their experience in this competition.
The Portuguese outfits have struggled to maintain consistency this season, but they head into this encounter that will take place at Rajko Mitic Stadium on September 19, 2024, in a decent mood, having thrashed Santa Clara 4-1 at home in their domestic league on Saturday night.
Let's take a look at how both teams have performed this season so far before we can provide an unbiased prediction for this encounter that will take place in the capital of Serbia.
Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica Match Preview - UEFA Champions League
Crvena Zvezda are in top form, having gone unbeaten in seven matches (6W 1D), including last weekend's 2-0 win over Napredak in the Serbian SuperLiga. This team is fond of keeping clean sheets, especially when they play at home. They kept clean sheets in their last three matches, including their comfortable 2-0 win over Bodo/Glimt, who are fond of scoring goals, in the Champions League qualification stage. They lost the first leg 2-1 in Norway but turned the event around at home. Crvena Zvezda currently sit at the top of the Serbian SuperLiga table with 19 points, three points clear of 2nd-placed Mladost Lucani.
Benfica are still trying to maintain consistency this season, although they have won three and lost one of their opening five Primeira Liga matches. They thrashed Santa Clara 4-1 at home, after they went behind in less than one minute on the clock. The victory takes them to the 3rd position with 10 points, although they can drop to the 5th position when the likes of Porto and Vitoria Guimaraes play their matches on Sunday. Benfica may have failed to avoid defeat early this season, but they haven't had issues scoring goals. Only time can tell if the Portuguese side can get the better of Crvena Zvezda's backline.
Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica Prediction - UEFA Champions League
Just as we stated above, both teams do not have problems in the attack. The hosts scored 21 goals already in seven league games and conceded only four, while Benfica scored nine goals in five games and let in four goals. The Portuguese side is the favourite to win this game, but because they are not in their best shape, it is unwise to back them to win this game. However, we can focus on both teams' attacking ability and make a forecast. For the Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica Champions League match, we predict that both teams will score - yes.
BET ON VBET: BTTS - YES (1.65 odds)
H2H
Both teams have met only twice in the Champions League and both teams exchanged wins.
Crvena Zvezda Injury News
They do not have any key players out injured at this time of writing.
Benfica Injury News
Tiago Gouveia will miss the game with a shoulder injury. Fredrik Aursnes will also sit this encounter out with a muscle injury and will be joined by Renato Sanchez, who is recovering from a hamstring injury.
Predicted Starting Lineups
Crvena Zvezda XI: Glazer, Seol, Drkusic, Lekovic, Mimovic, Krunic, Elsnik, Silas, Ivanic, Olayinka, Duarte
Benfica XI: Trubin, Bah, Silva, Otamendi, Carreras, Luis, Kokcu, Di Maria, Rolheiser, Pavlidis, Akturkoglu
Where to watch Crvena Zvezda vs Benfica
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