Preview: Benfica vs. Atletico Madrid – prediction, team news, lineups

Aiming to extend their winning streak to five games across all competitions, Benfica host the Spanish giants Atletico Madrid at the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on Wednesday evening in Champions League.

The Eagles have been in top form since a managerial change last month, while Los Colchoneros are still struggling with their long-time head coach at the helm.

Game preview

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After a sobering 1-1 draw at Moreirense’s home stadium on August 30th Roger Smith has been relieved of his duties at Benfica, which has been on a four-game winning streak in the Primeira Liga and Champions League since sacking a German title winner last month.

The latest of those successes came domestically on Saturday evening, with goals coming from the likes of the World Cup and Copa America winners Nicolas Otamendi propelled the Eagles to a five-goal win over Gil Vicente, who only managed two shots into Anatolii Trubin’s net over the course of the game.

New head coach who has collected 12 out of 12 available points since the turn of the month Bruno Lage is receiving huge credit for stabilizing a talented side into a winning machine after Schmidt’s ill-fated reign, with the former Wolverhampton Wanderers head coach returning to Europe after a spell coaching Botafogo in Brazil.

The Eagles survived a scare in Serbia in the first matchweek of the Champions League two weeks ago when first-half shots were missed Kerem Akturkoglou And Orkun Kokcu eventually secured a 2-1 win against Red Star Belgrade, who were threatening a comeback Milson scored in the 86th minute.

With four goals in three Primeira Liga games this season, summer signing Akturkoglou enjoyed a sensational September for both Benfica and Turkey, with the 25-year-old registering eight goals in his last five competitive games.

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Atletico Madrid extended their unbeaten streak at the start of the 2024-25 season to nine games on Sunday night as the hosts staged a late comeback at the Estadio Civitas Metropolitano force a share of the loot against Spanish and European champions Real Madrid in a hard-fought derby.

After a goalless first half, the battle picked up pace in the second 45 minutes as Los Blancos’ central defenders Eder Militao gave the visitors the lead, but the Colchoneros were not about to lie down and accept defeat as the substitute scored a goal in the 95th minute Angel Correa Restoring parity in combat.

While an eight-game unbeaten run in La Liga sounds great with the international break looming in October, Atletico Madrid have already lost quite a bit of ground in the race for the Spanish crown, with Wednesday’s visitors only winning half of those eight games they played sit five points behind Barcelona is first.

They have conceded just three goals in their last eight games in all competitions. Diego SimeoneThe Barcelona side boast one of the most determined defenses in this season’s Champions League. However, it remains to be seen whether this stubbornness will be enough to achieve a triumph for the first time in this competition.

Atlético Madrid is one of 15 teams aiming for two consecutive Champions League wins in the second game week. The Spanish powerhouses defeated Bundesliga rivals RB Leipzig 2-1 two weeks ago thanks to goals from Antoine Griezmann And Jose Gimenez.

Benfica Champions League form:

Benfica form (all competitions):

Atletico Madrid Champions League form:

Atlético Madrid form (all competitions):

Team news

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Benfica remains without the services of a midfielder Renato SanchezThe 27-year-old is still recovering from a muscle injury he sustained at the end of August.

The Eagles also don’t have the talents to fall back on Tiago Gouveiawho has not yet played for the new head coach Lage due to a shoulder problem.

Atletico Madrid has to do without one of its Champions League veterans Cesar AzpilicuetaThe 35-year-old has suffered a thigh strain in recent weeks.

Although he is back in first team training, Pablo Barrios The trip to Portugal on Wednesday evening is doubtful due to muscle problems suffered at the beginning of September.

With Correa scoring from the bench against Real Madrid, he will be knocking on Simeone’s door for a starting spot this time Alexander Sorloth or Julian Alvarez could lose their place in the team.

Benfica possible starting lineup:
Trubin; Araujo, Silva, Otamendi, Fernandez; Aursnes, Luis, Kokcu; Di Maria, Akturkoglou, Pavlidis

Possible Atletico Madrid starting lineup:
Oblak; Molina, Le Normand, Gimenez, Reinildo; DePaul, Llorente, Gallagher; Griezmann, Alvarez, Correa

We say: Benfica – Atlético Madrid 1:1

Benfica are unbeaten since the arrival of new head coach Lage and should be relatively confident of posing a serious challenge to Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening.

Los Colchoneros can extend their unbeaten run to 10 games with a positive result in Lisbon and we expect Simeone’s troops to achieve the feat with a share of the spoils.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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