Benfica Lisbon vs Salzburg Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions League

Prediction published on 18/09/2023, 12:30  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 19/09/2023 at 04:41 in Champions League Predictions

Gameweek one in Group D of the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League campaign will see Benfica play host to RB Salzburg on Wednesday evening. Benfica qualified for this competition by winning the Primeira Liga last season, while Salzburg are the champions of Austria. After a surprise defeat to Boavista on the opening day of the league season, it has been back to business as usual for the hosts in recent weeks. The Eagles come into this match following a 2-1 win over Vizela last weekend. That was their fourth consecutive league win this season, leaving them in third place and one point off the leaders. The Reds have been impressive in attack, with 13 goals in their first five matches. They are also on a six-match winning streak at home in competitive matches and have not conceded a single goal in that time. The last time Benfica lost on home soil was against Inter Milan in last season's Champions League quarter-final. The hosts are strong favourites in this one. 

Meanwhile, RB Salzburg dropped their first points in the Austrian Bundesliga season last week, drawing 2-2 away to Sturm Graz. While it did end a four-match-winning streak, they are still one of only two teams in the league that are still unbeaten. The Red Bulls have already shot into the lead in league standings with 19 points in their first seven matches of the season. That includes six wins and a draw, leaving them two points ahead of Sturm Graz in second place. The visitors finished third in their group in this competition last season with six points in their six matches. They were knocked out by Roma 2-1 on aggregate in the Europa League thereafter. That was also the last time they lost on the road, and they come into this one unbeaten in their last 12 away games.