Benfica host Paris Saint-Germain in the tie of the week in the Champions League. The match will feature two unbeaten teams in a winner-take-all group stage match in Lisbon.
Roger Schmidt’s Benfica are unbeaten in 14 matches this season. The Eagles’ streak of 13 straight wins came to an end at the weekend, however. Vitor de Guimaraes drew nil-nil with Benfica in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.
🎉 🎂 Feliz aniversário, @R33Rocha!#EPluribusUnum pic.twitter.com/wyK6wS3a7a— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) October 3, 2022
🎉 🎂 Feliz aniversário, @R33Rocha!#EPluribusUnum pic.twitter.com/wyK6wS3a7a
Nine of Benfica’s 14 games in 2022-23 ended with them keeping a clean sheet. The defence has played well, but it will need to be at its very best against free-scoring Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG are on a seven-game winning streak in all competitions. The Parisians won at the weekend against Nice 2-1 with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe scoring goals.
The winner of Wednesday’s Champions League Group H match between Benfica and Paris Saint-Germain will likely seal their progression to the round of 16.
PSG go into matchday No. 3 with six points from two matches. Benfica also go into the match with six points from two matches.
Juventus and Maccabi Haifa have not picked up points this season and go into matchday No. 3 struggling to get off the mark.
Schmidt has three players on the injury list ahead of Wednesday’s match in Lisbon. All three injured players are defenders as Felipe Morato, Joao Victor, and Lucas Verissimo are expected to miss the fixture due to their injuries.
PSG manager Christophe Galtier could be without defensive midfielder Marco Verratti, who is nursing a calf injury and may miss the game.
Defender Presnel Kimpembe will likely miss the match due to a muscle injury. He should miss games until the middle of October.
Neymar, Mbappe, and Messi have been brilliant in the final third for PSG this season. Neymar and Mbappe have 11 goals each, while Messi has seven. Neymar and Messi have combined for 16 assists in all competitions, with eight apiece.
There is a worry that without one or both of the attacking stars that PSG could struggle to score goals. Although PSG are playing well under Galtier, it remains to be seen if this “new-look” team will be able to come together and win the Champions League.
Benfica are PSG’s first real test of the Champions League group stage. PSG reverted to their old ways at times against Juventus and Maccabi. Benfica’s defence should keep the Parisians in check.
It should lead to an upset win for Benfica. The Eagles will move to the top of the group with a 2-1 home victory.