Real Madrid vs Benfica Predictions

• Real Madrid have won five of their last six home games by more than one goal
• Benfica have lost two of their last three away Champions League games by more than one goal
• Kylian Mbappe has scored eight goals in his last four Champions League matches

Time for Los Blancos to turn it on

Real Madrid bring a 1-0 first-leg back to the Bernabeu for an eagerly anticipated return clash with Benfica in the Champions League Play-off round on Wednesday.

The first match in Lisbon was marred by an incident of alleged racism toward Vinicius Junior and Uefa have provisionally suspended Gianluigi Prestianni “without prejudice” for one game pending a thorough investigation.

Los Blancos have not been convincing in the Champions League this season, but it is usually around this time that they start to hit their stride. They sputtered through the league stage last year with three losses in eight games before turning it on in the knockouts against Manchester City and Atletico Madrid.

Benfica could face a Bernabeu backlash

Benfica were one of the three sides to inflict defeat on them in this season’s competition as Alvaro Arbeloa’s team lost their cool in Lisbon amid late red cards for Raul Asencio and Rodrygo. But we should probably expect a laser-focused and altogether better performance from them this time around.

For start, there is much more at stake, but the main reason why Kylian Mbappe and co are likely to be at it from the first whistle is the sense of unfinished business with Benfica. Some of the reactions to what happened last week have not gone down well at all and it could all blow up in heir faces at the Bernabeu.

Real Madrid won their last home European game 6-1 against Monaco and while this unlikely to be as savage, a win by at least two goals looks worth backing. Los Blancos had four big chances to the Eagles’ none at the Luz last week and can secure a 3-0 win here if they have their finishing boots on.