FC Barcelona vs Benfica Projected Starting Lineups for UEFA Champions League Game

FC Barcelona
will travel to Portugal to face Benfica Lisbon
on Tuesday, eager to continue their strong run of form in the UEFA Champions League
on Matchday 7.

The Blaugrana have been among the top teams in the Champions League this season, occupying second place in the league standings with five wins and 15 points through six games. Hansi Flick’s men secured a big win last time out in the competition, defeating Borussia Dortmund
3-2 in Germany in early December.

Barca have scored the most goals in the competition so far (21), and have the highest goal differential (14). They trail leaders Liverpool — who own a perfect record so far — by three points.

Barcelona’s form in La Liga has been poor since November, winning only two of their last nine league fixtures. They were frustrated again at the weekend, settling for a 1-1 draw away to Getafe C.F.
.

The Catalans are sitting in third place in the league table on 39 points, seven behind leaders Real Madrid
and five behind Atlético Madrid
.

Benfica, meanwhile, find themselves in 15th place in the UCL standings with three wins, one draw and two losses so far. As Aguais last faced Bologna in the competition, seeing out a 0-0 draw with the Italian side.

In the league, Benfica occupy second place in the Primeira Liga standings, three points off leaders Sporting CP. Bruno Lage’s side are fresh off a 4-0 win over Famalicao, thanks to a hat-trick from Leandro Martins.

Where to Watch FC Barcelona vs Benfica

When: Tuesday, January 21 – 3PM ET / 12PM PT
Where: Estadio Da Luz, Lisbon
Where to watch in the United States: Paramount+, CBS Sports.
Where to watch in Canada: DAZN

FC Barcelona vs Benfica Betting Odds

FC Barcelona to win: -105
Draw: +310
Benfica to win: +235
Over/Under 3.5 Goals: +105 / -135
Robert Lewandowski anytime scorer: +110
Vangelis Pavlidis anytime scorer: +140
Lamine Yamal to give 1 or more assists: +275

Odds courtesy of DraftKings.

Benfica Projected Lineup vs FC Barcelona

Benfica will be missing two key pieces when they host Barcelona in Tiago Gouveia and Renato Sanches, while Angel Di Maria remains questionable to participate.

The Turkish duo of Orkun Kokcu and Kerem Akturkoglu are expected to start at the main creative outlets, with Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis leading the line.

Leandro Martins should return to the heart of midfield after his hat-trick performance over the weekend, joining Fredrik Aursnes.

Benfica predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Anatoliy Trubin (GK) – Alexander Bah, Tomas Araujo, Nicolas Otamendi, Alvaro Fernandez – Leandro Martins, Fredrik Aursnes – Ángel Di María, Orkun Kokcu, Kerem Akturkoglu – Vangelis Pavlidis.

Injuries: Tiago Gouveia (shoulder), Renato Sanches (muscle).

FC Barcelona Projected Lineup vs Benfica

FC Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates scoring their fourth goal with Jules Kounde

Dani Olmo is the latest Barcelona star to suffer an injury setback, as the creative midfielder is set to miss the UCL clash with a calf injury.

Gavi should once again be called on in the starting lineup, joining Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski in the attacking areas of the pitch.

Ronald Araujo has resumed his position in the middle of defense alongside Pau Cubarsí after a lengthy injury spell, while Jules Koundé will be on a quest for a goal in a third consecutive game at right back.

FC Barcelona predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Iñaki Peña (GK) – Jules Koundé, Ronald Araujo, Pau Cubarsí, Alejandro Balde – Marc Casado, Pedri – Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Raphinha – Robert Lewandowski.

Injuries: Dani Olmo (calf), Iñigo Martinez (hamstring), Marc Bernal (ACL), Marc-André ter Stegen (knee).