Liverpool vs Benfica betting tips: Champions League quarter-final second leg preview, predictions and odds

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Liverpool have only lost one of 12 home matches against Portuguese clubs, although that was a 2-0 win for Benfica in 2006. The Reds have won all 35 European ties when winning the first leg on the road. Benfica have lost 12 of 18 matches in England, winning just four. When losing the first leg at home, the Eagles have only advanced once in five attempts, producing a comeback against Dinamo Bucureşti in 1999.

Both teams to score is 3/4.

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals is 20/21.

Liverpool to win and over 2.5 goals is 8/13.

Liverpool to win and both teams to score is 6/4.

Luis Díaz is 11/2 to break the deadlock and 13/2 to net anytime. 

Match preview

Thiago Alcantara of Liverpool Fc looks on during the Uefa STADIO GIUSEPPE MEAZZA, MILANO, ITALY – 2022/02/16: Thiago Alcântara of Liverpool looks on during the Uefa Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Fc Internazionale and Liverpool Fc . Liverpool Fc wins 2-0 over Fc Internazionale. (Photo by Marco Canoniero/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Eight nights ago, at Estádio da Luz, it was the visitors who struck first when Ibrahima Konaté headed home his first goal for the club.

Then came a magnificent second when Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross-field pass was nodded down by Luis Díaz and tapped home by Sadio Mané.

Benfica were seemingly down and out but, just after half time, hope was restored with Rafa Silva’s cross converted by Darwin Núñez.

However, then came the potentially decisive moment of the tie.

With just three to play, Naby Keïta’s perfectly-weighted through-ball picked out Díaz who calmly rounded Odysseas Vlachodimos and scored.

3-1 it finished, securing Liverpool’s eighth successive away victory in all competitions, a new club-record.

Now, will the six-times European champions reach the semi-finals of this competition for the 12th time?

Since that victory in Portugal, Jürgen Klopp’s side have been involved in a top of the table clash in the Premier League.

On Sunday, the Reds came from behind twice to draw 2-2 with Manchester City at the Etihad; Diogo Jota and Sadio Mané both equalising in a frenetic game.

This leaves them just one point below the Citizens with seven matches to go.

Those two meet again on Saturday in the FA Cup semi-finals and, with the Carabao Cup already in the bag, Liverpool are still one for a quadruple.

In UEFA competition under Klopp, they’ve either reached the final or lost to a Madrid-based side, winning the 2019 final in the Spanish capital.

With Atlético and Real both on the other side of the draw, they’ll be hoping that statistic remains true.

Benfica meanwhile are dreaming of their first semi-final appearance in this competition since 1990, falling at this stage on four occasions since then.

To get this far, as Águias have already beaten PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona and Ajax, so are looking to defeat another former European champion.

Domestically, Nélson Veríssimo’s side sit third in the Primeira Liga, despite Saturday’s 3-1 victory over Belenenses, in which Núñez scored a hat-trick.

Will Liverpool set up a semi-final showdown with Bayern Munich or Villarreal by seeing this one through at Anfield?

Liverpool team news

Liverpool v Norwich City: The Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MARCH 02: Ibrahima Konaté of Liverpool looks on during the Emirates FA Cup Fifth Round match between Liverpool and Norwich City at Anfield on March 2, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

After this tie, Jürgen Klopp’s side face Manchester City at Wembley before taking on Manchester United at home; the big games just keep on coming.

At centre-back, Ibrahima Konaté has started four of the last five Champions League games, but has only made eight Premier League appearances all season.

So, he could return as Virgil van Dijk’s partner, giving Joël Matip a breather.

In midfield, Fabinho, Thiago and Jordan Henderson is the first-choice trio, demonstrated by the fact they started on Sunday.

But, it would be no surprise if Naby Keïta was rotated in; Curtis Jones and James Milner are also options.

Likewise, up front, Klopp has five players vying for three positions.

Luis Díaz and Roberto Firmino were the substitutes at the weekend with Mo Salah, Sadio Mané and Diogo Jota given the nod.

None of the 24 different attacking combinations would be a surprise.

Benfica team news

SL Benfica v Liverpool FC Quarter Final Leg One – UEFA Champions League LISBON, PORTUGAL – APRIL 05: Darwin Núñez of Benfica celebrates after scoring their side’s first goal during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between SL Benfica and Liverpool FC at Estadio da Luz on April 05, 2022 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Darwin Núñez is Benfica’s main man, having scored five goals in three appearances since the international break, taking his tally to 31 for the season.

He and Gonçalo Ramos could continue to lead the line, chosen over Roman Yaremchuk and fit again Haris Seferović.

In support from wider positions will be Éverton and Rafa Silva.

Furtther back, former Queens Park Rangers man Adel Taarabt and Julian Weigl will be looking to dictate midfield.

Experienced centre-back duo of Nicolás Otamendi and Jan Vertonghen will continue at the heart of defence, with Lucas Veríssimo a long-term absentee.

Premier League table:

Primeira Liga table: