Benfica vs Liverpool Predictions

• Liverpool have won 15 of their last 17 games
• The Reds have won seven of eight games in Europe this term
• Benfica have seen both teams score in 11 of their last 13
• Mo Salah has scored six of his eight Champions League goals away from home this season

Great chance for Reds

While their fellow Premier League sides have tough clashes with Spanish sides in the quarter-finals, Liverpool have landed an easier tie in Europe. Benfica are shock quarter-finalists in this campaign, having dumped out a strong Ajax side in the last round.

While this isn’t a walkover for the Reds, it’s a relief to have a more straightforward clash given they play Man City in between their two meetings with Benfica. As Jurgen Klopp’s men continue their quadruple push, they need all the help they can get in what should be a hectic finish to the season.

Benfica out of their depth

Benfica made it out of their group despite two comprehensive defeats to Bayern. They shipped nine goals across two losses to the German giants, while Barcelona’s catastrophic collapse under Roland Koeman helped the Eagles into the last 16.

Benfica then caught Ajax cold in the last round, but they enter the last eight having failed to really impress so far. The Portuguese side have averaged 40% possession in the Champions League this season; the fourth-lowest in the competition overall this term and the lowest among the remaining eight sides.

The hosts come into this one fresh from a 3-2 loss at Braga in the league, which has left them trailing behind the top two. Given that run, it’s hard to make a case for them against one of Europe’s best.

Salah to fire Reds to glory

Liverpool head into this game having won 15 of their last 17 games, while they have won seven of eight in Europe this term. They’ve scored at least twice in each of those wins, while the incredible form of Mohamed Salah should help them to another victory.

Six of Salah’s eight goals for Liverpool in the Champions League this season have been scored away from home. With Benfica looking defensively shaky, back the Egyptian to strike in this clash.

However, Benfica have seen both teams score in 11 of their last 13 games. They’ve struck in 16 straight home matches, while Liverpool have conceded in all but one of their away trips in Europe this term.

I’m going for Liverpool to win and both teams to score in this clash, while go for a 3-1 victory for the Reds with the gulf in class between the pair likely to tell by full-time.