Benfica vs Red Bull Salzburg Predictions

• Benfica’s pressing style should cause huge problems for a Salzburg side who struggled at this level last year
• The Portuguese giants scored 26 times across their European games last term
• Di Maria has scored in five of his six matches since returning to Benfica

Can Benfica make another run?

Benfica topped their Champions League group last year and went on a run to the quarter-finals of this competition, alongside claiming the Portuguese title.

The Eagles will be aiming for another impressive European campaign and they’re likely to push Inter in this group. Benfica should make the perfect start, especially as their style of play should perfectly suit playing against a Salzburg side who aren’t quite up to the level in Europe.

Defensive issues for visitors

FC Salzburg have failed to keep a clean sheet in 16 Champions League away games, the most any side has played on the road in this competition without one. Last term, they had the worst pass completion rate under pressure of any side in the group stage and they had the second-fewest 10+ pass sequences in open play across the competition.

That doesn’t bode well for this week, as no side generated more shots (21) or scored more goals (5) following high turnovers than Benfica in the Champions League in 22/23. The Portuguese giants saw Joao Mario six times in Europe last year, while they’ve strengthened their attack with Angel Di Maria.

The ageing Argentine scored four goals in seven European games for Juventus in 2023, while he’s made a stellar start in Lisbon. He has scored in five of his six games for Benfica this term, so he’s a great anytime scorer option this week.

Di Maria can contribute to a high-scoring night for the Eagles, who have scored 11 times across their last four games. Salzburg look vulnerable to Benfica’s style of play and with the hosts boasting some goal threats going forward, over 2.5 goals for the hosts looks like great value given they scored 26 times across 10 European games last term.