Benfica will host Manchester United in the third round of the UEFA Champions League group stage in 2017/2018 on Wednesday 18 October. At the Estádio da Luz, in Lisbon, the confrontation kicks off at 4:45 p.m. (Brasília time).
The English lead the A-key with six points earned. The vice-leadership is split by Basel and CSKA Moscow with three points. The Portuguese hold the lantern after two defeats in the opening matches.
Benfica’s recent performance
Benfica’s bad start to the season is not limited to the Champions League match. Current four-time champion of the Portuguese Championship, the team was also behind in the start of the dispute with Porto and Sporting for the cup of the tournament in 2017/2018. He has 17 points (five wins, two draws and one loss).
On Saturday, October 14, he was disappointed again. He even managed to move on to the next round of the Portuguese Cup, but he encountered much greater difficulties than one would expect in a 1-0 victory against the tiny Olhanense.
The situation certainly already puts pressure on the shoulders of coach Rui Vitória, who probably will not be able to count on Argentine defender Lisandro Lopez (three matches in the 2017/2018 Portuguese Championship season) for Wednesday’s game. The athlete is injured.
The current form of Manchester United
There is no way for the Manchester United fan to complain about the early season results. The team is in good standing on all three fronts. In the Champions League, he was very close to the berth for the round of 16. In the League Cup of England advanced without scares.
However, the conservative style of coach Jose Mourinho caused complaints in the classic of Saturday, October 14, against Liverpool. At Anfield Road, the Portuguese set up their traditional ” bus ” in front of the area and gave up winning the attempt to return to Manchester with one more point in the account.
The goalless draw made his goal hit. However, this happened more because of the failure of the home owners than because of United’s merits, which was dominated practically throughout the game and had rare moments in which he threatened the rival.
Although the result could be considered acceptable, the tie made Manchester United lose the lead of the tournament. With 20 points (six wins and two draws), they saw Manchester City, who thrashed Stoke 7-2, to gain a two-point lead in the match.
To face Benfica, Mourinho has some restrictions regarding the lineup. Defender Eric Bertrand Bailly (six games in the English Championship 2017/2018, one goal) and Marcos Rojo (not yet in the season) are in the medical department; and Michael Carrick (without performances), Marouane Fellaini (six games, three goals) and Paul Pogba (four games, two goals).
History of the bouts between Benfica and Manchester United
This will be the fourth time the teams have crossed paths in the Champions League. All of the above also occurred in the group stage. In 2005/2016, the score was 2 to 1 in favor of who acted at home. In 2006/2007, United won both games. He scored 1-0 away and 3-1 in Old Tradfford. In 2011/2012, two draws. By 1 to 1 in Lisbon and by 2 to 2 in Manchester.
PREDICTION: Manchester United win @ 1.80
