Estadio da Luz is the venue as Benfica and Paris Saint-Germain battle it out for a top-place in a competitive-looking Champions League Group H.
With nothing but goals scored separating the sides ahead of the kick-off, whoever wins here will move alone at the summit of Group H, with PSG pre-match favourites to maintain their 100% European start.
However, both teams head into proceedings on the back of outstanding starts to their respective seasons, and it’s hard to write Benfica off despite the odds.
After a clear-cut 2-0 home win over group minnows Maccabi Haifa, Roger Schmidt’s high-flying side came from an early 1-0 deficit to take Juventus down 2-1 in Turin in the previous round.
But it’s worth noting that Schmidt’s eye-catching 13-game winning start to his managerial stint at Benfica went out of the window last weekend as Guimaraes held the Eagles to a scoreless Primeira Liga draw.
Unlike their hosts, PSG came out victorious at the weekend as second-half substitute Kylian Mbappe netted a late winner to sink Christophe Galtier’s former employers Nice 2-1.
In Europe, Les Parisiens had no mercy for their rivals. Following a 2-1 home win over Juventus, they cruised to a 3-1 triumph against Haifa in Israel to take control at the summit.
Years of extravagant spending could pay dividends this season as the joint-record French champions look ready to make it to the top of the Champions League for the first time in history.
Match Preview
Benfica
Despite Paris’ lucrative spending sprees over the years, Benfica still lead the overall H2H stakes in European football by the slimmest of margins (W3, D1, L2).
On top of that, the Eagles have been victorious in their last four European home fixtures against French visitors, all via a narrow one-goal margin, including a 1-0 win over PSG in the 2013/14 Champions League groups.
Adding to the hosts’ confidence, they have racked up five victories in their last six home outings in the Champions League group stages (L1), keeping a clean sheet four times.
Paris Saint-Germain
Unbeaten in 12 competitive matches this season (W11, D1), PSG will be out to defy their embarrassing three-game losing record at Benfica in major European competitions.
Galtier’s men have only lost once in their last 11 matches in the Champions League group stages (W8, D2), so there’s a fair probability they’ll halt their ‘Lisbon hoodoo.’
Motivation won’t be lacking in Galtier’s corner as he can become only the club’s third manager to win his opening three Champions League games with a victory here.
Benfica vs Paris Saint-Germain Potential Line-ups
Benfica (4-2-3-1): Odysseas Vlachodimos; Alexander Bah, Antonio Silva, Nicolas Otamendi, Alejandro Grimaldo; Florentino, Enzo Fernandez; David Neres, Rafa Silva, Joao Mario; Goncalo Ramos.
Paris Saint-Germain (3-4-3): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Norid Mukiele, Marquinhos, Sergio Ramos; Achraf Hakimi, Danilo Pereira, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes; Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Neymar.
How to Watch?
Benfica vs PSG, alongside all other matches in Europe’s most prestigious club competition this season, is available to watch online via Champions League live streams.
And if you are interested in attending a future Champions League game, see our Champions League tickets page for more information.
Benfica vs Paris Saint-Germain Prediction
Both sides will take the field in fine form, so it may take a moment of brilliance from either team to wrap up all three points.
PSG are heavily fancied to arrest Schmidt’s unbeaten start to his managerial career at Benfica, but the Portuguese heavyweights are unlikely to go down without a fight.
Therefore, we expect the visitors to win without a clean sheet.
Benfica 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain
