Benfica vs Barcelona: Preview, predictions and lineups | OneFootball

Barcelona venture across the Iberian peninsula for their penultimate game of the Champions League league phase as they face Benfica in Lisbon.

After succumbing to Monaco with ten men on matchday one, Barca have won five straight in this competition and sit second in the league phase table. Ferran Torres' heroics off the bench at Borussia Dortmund last month means they are all but assured of a place in the last 16.

However, their momentum gained at the start of 2025 was thwarted by Getafe on Saturday evening as Jose Bordalas' side fought tooth and nail for a point to further hinder Barca's La Liga title hopes.

Hansi Flick's side have already claimed silverware this year in the form of the Supercopa de Espana, with that success also matched by Benfica's triumph in the Taca da Liga final over Sporting CP.

Bruno Lage's side are 15th in the league phase table and pushing for a top eight berth, but they'll need a result here. Benfica are also locked in a thrilling three-horse race for the Primeira Liga title thanks to Sporting's malaise since Ruben Amorim's departure.

Here's 90min's guide to Tuesday's Champions League clash.

Benfica vs Barcelona H2H record (Last Five Games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch Benfica vs Barcelona on TV - UK and US

Benfica team news

Angel Di Maria is unlikely to face Barcelona / Eurasia Sport Images/GettyImages

Angel Di Maria is set to miss out on facing Barcelona for the 20th time on Tuesday night, with the Argentine star a major doubt through injury. The former Real Madrid man has won just six of 19 matches against them, scoring four times.

The hosts are certainly without Renato Sanches and Tiago Gouveia due to respective thigh and shoulder issues.

Kerem Akturkoglu has enjoyed a superb debut season in Portugal and is the man Barcelona must contain in transition, The Turkey international has 17 goal contributions in all competitions this term.

Benfica predicted lineup vs Barcelona

Benfica predicted lineup vs Barcelona (4-3-3): Trubin; Bah, Araujo, Otamendi, Fernandez; Aursnes, Florentino, Kokcu; Amdouni, Pavlidis, Akturkoglu.

Barcelona team news

Ferran Torres was the match-winner in Dortmund / Pau Barrena/GettyImages

There was some concern over the status of Marc Casado after Flick took him off in the second half against Getafe, but the midfielder's withdrawal wasn't injury-relayed and he's in the travelling squad.

Despite strong links with a return to Girona, Eric Garcia is also travelling with the Barcelona squad.

The visitors are once again without Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Marc Bernal, and Inigo Martinez through injury.

Ferran Torres and Frenkie de Jong will be considered for starts, but Dani Olmo won't be back in Flick's XI after suffering a muscle injury at the weekend.

Barcelona predicted lineup vs Benfica (4-2-3-1): Pena; Kounde, Araujo, Christensen, Balde; Casado, De Jong; Fermin, Gavi, Ferran; Lewandowski.

Benfica vs Barcelona score prediction

Given Barca's strong position in the table, Flick could rest and rotate a few key names in Lisbon. However, the visitors are blessed with impressive strength in depth, especially in creative positions.

Their La Liga title hopes are starting to fade, but this team at their apex are as good as anyone on the continent. We're unlikely to see their utopian iteration on Tuesday night if Flick does make changes, and Benfica's desperation for a result should ensure the contest is an exciting one.

We've seen superior Benfica sides in the not-so-recent past, that's for sure, but they'll fancy their chances of earning a result on home soil if Flick does tinker with his team.