Benfica will welcome Inter Milan to the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on Wednesday for a Champions League one-on-one clash in Group D’s matchday five. The two sides will clash from 20:00 GMT.
Key Highlights
Benfica’s Surprising Winless Run in Group D
Benfica have had a disappointing Champions League campaign so far in Group D. They have played four matches and lost all of them. They have managed just one goal in this run and conceded 7 in the process.
Benfica’s lack of potency in the final third has been their biggest challenge in Europa this season. The one goal they have scored points to their lack of cutting edge, and their inability to trouble their opponents.
As a result, they sit at the bottom of the Group D table with zero points, which means that are zero points behind third-placed RB Salzburg, who are leading the fight to make it into the Europa League from the group.
Given Real Sociedad and Inter Milan have already qualified from the group, the only thing remaining for Benfica to do is fight for the Europa League-qualifying third berth in the Group in the remaining two matches.
In the Liga Portugal, Benfica have had a good start to the season and top the standings with 28 points, level with Sporting in second. In the 11 rounds of fixtures they have has, they have won nine, drawn one, and lost once, scoring 23 goals, and conceding nine in the process.
Bet hereInter Milan’s Bid for Top Spot in Group D
Inter Milan are unbeaten in Group D. After opening the season with a draw against Real Sociedad, the San Siro side have won the subsequent three matches. They have collected 10 points and are joint top of the group with Real Sociedad, who pip them on goal difference.
However, Inter Milan have not been prolific in front of goal. They have grabbed 5 goals in four matches, while conceding just twice. Their ability to keep opponents out has been their core feature and the reason why they are still unbeaten in the Champions League this season.
Last season’s beaten finalists will look to keep this record going when they visit Benfica on Wednesday. Top spot of Group D is still up for grabs in the final two matches of the group stage.
A win for the Serie A side will provide a robust springboard to fight for top spot heading into the final match of the group campaign.
Injury Report
Benfica
Roger Schmidt will be without left-back Juan Bernat due to an adductor injury. Right winger David Neres is sidelined with a meniscus injury, whereas right-back Alexander Bah will be unable to feature against Inter Milan due to a foot injury.
Inter Milan
Simone Inzaghi will be without three first-squad players for the trip to Benfica on Wednesday. Center-forward Alexis Sanchez has been dealing with an ankle sprain since November 23rd.
Center-back Alessandro Bastoni is recovering from a calf injury since November 15th; the 24-year-old is unlikely to feature in Portugal.
Inter Milan will also be without center-back Benjamin Pavard, who is sidelined with a patellar tendon dislocation.
Possible Lineups
Benfica
A. Trubin; F. Aursnes, A. Silva, N. Otamendi, Morato; F. Luis, J. Neves; A. Di Maria, R. Silva, J. Mario; P. Musa
Inter Milan
Y. Sommer; F. Acerbi, S. de Vrij, M. Darmian; F. Dimarco, H. Mkhitaryan, G. Calhanoglu, N. Barella, D. Dumfries; L. Martinez, M. Thuram
Prediction
Inter will win away from home and press on with their chances of finishing at the top of Group D ahead of Real Sociedad.
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