RB Leipzig vs Benfica
RB Leipzig are on the cusp of making it to the Champions League round of 16 for the first time in their history. The Red Bulls currently lead Group G with nine points and a win over Benfica would all but ensure their place in the knockout phase.
The Germans will be in great form heading into their battle with Benfica, who still have much to play for despite being bottom of the group. They still have a chance to make it to the Europa League, so the hosts will have to be wary.
Still, the Champions League 2019 odds are pointing to a Leipzig win, and it would be quite a surprise if they didn’t come away with all three points.
Talking Points
RB Leipzig on a roll
RB Leipzig are playing some really good football at the moment. They have won five consecutive matches, including three in a row in the Bundesliga. Those victories have been as dominant as they come.
First, they thrashed Mainz 8-0 at home. They then followed it up with a 4-2 away win at Hertha Berlin, and added a 4-1 thrashing of Koln at home over the weekend.
Unsurprisingly, Timo Werner has been in the middle of the Red Bulls’ recent charge. The young German already has 12 goals in 12 Bundesliga appearances, which half of those coming in the last three games. Werner also bagged both goals in RB Leipzig’s 2-1 win away to Benfica in their opening group game.
However, it hasn’t been all Werner this season. Manager Julian Nagelsmann has taken Leipzig to another level offensively this season as the likes of Marcel Sabitzer and Emil Forsberg have also contributed in attack.
Sabitzer has been quite useful in the Champions League, where he scored in both of their recent wins over Zenit St. Petersburg. He failed to score in their win over Koln, which snapped a run of four straight games with a goal and five in his last six for Leipzig.
Those wins over Zenit were the perfect way for Leipzig to recover from their shock home defeat to Lyon, which has been their only Champions League setback thus far.
Benfica’s European struggles
Benfica have had a rough go of it in the Champions League this season. Their Champions League 2019 results have seen them lose three of their first four matches, with their lone win coming at home against Lyon. But the French side got their revenge as they claimed a 3-1 win in the reverse fixture last time out.
Since that loss to Lyon, Benfica picked up back-to-back 2-1 away wins in the Portuguese league and cup. The defending champions are once again having another strong campaign, winning 10 of their first 11 league games and their last eight in a row. They’ve also scored 25 goals and conceded just four.
However, they have been unable to recreate that strong defensive solidity in Europe, where they have failed to keep a clean sheet.
Up front, Pizzi is having a strong season. The Portuguese midfielder is the team’s leading scorer with eight goals and four assists in 11 league appearances. But in the Champions League, Swiss striker Haris Seferovic is leading the way with two goals in four appearances.
Despite their 3-1 away defeats at Zenit and Lyon, Benfica were quite competitive in both matches. In fact, they outshot their hosts in both games, but they just weren’t as clinical in terms of their finishing.
Nevertheless, there will be a big step up in competition from those two to Leipzig, who are looking like legitimate title challengers in Germany this season.
History
This will be only Leipzig and Benfica’s second ever competitive meeting, the first coming in their Champions League opener. Werner’s brace led Leipzig to a 2-1 away win.
Prior to that, they had met in a friendly back in 2017, with Leipzig also coming out 2-0 winners.
Benfica have struggled in the Champions League of late. Even with their win against Lyon, they’ve won just three of their last 17 Champions League matches (one draw, 13 defeats). Moreover, they’ve won only three of their last 15 European fixtures outside of Portugal (two draws, 10 defeats).
Betting Tip
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RB Leipzig vs Benfica | RB Leipzig Asian Handicap -1.00 @ 1.92 |
| November 28, 04:00 (GMT+8) |
SBOBET odds have Leipzig priced as 1.51 favourites on the 1X2 market, while Benfica are at 6.00. A draw is at 4.10.
The signs are strongly pointing toward a Leipzig home win. They are in terrific form and should have too much firepower for the Portuguese champions. That’s why I’m going for the Red Bulls on the Asian Handicap. I fully expect them to take care of Benfica and come away with a comfortable home win.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR ( ) BETS ARE WORTH: |
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 = €20 (Highly confident) |
= €10 (CONFIDENT) |
= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT) |
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Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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