Benfica vs RB Salzburg Preview - 20/09/2023 - UEFA Champions League
Benfica are scheduled to host RB Salzburg in their first group-stage match of the UEFA Champions League 2023/24 on September 20.
The Austrian outfit have been placed in Group D, where they will be pitted against some formidable opponents including the Portuguese powerhouse Benfica, last year's UEFA Champions League finalist Inter Milan, and the La Liga side Real Sociedad.
Although none of these teams are considered traditional giants, Simone Inzaghi's squad should not underestimate the challenge posed by Group D in the upcoming group-stage fixtures.
Both Benfica and Salzburg were champions of their respective leagues in Portugal and Austria last season. It's worth noting that Roger Schmidt's team faced Inter in the UCL quarterfinals and put up a strong fight, losing 3-5 on aggregate.
Additionally, Sociedad cannot be overlooked as well. The club have finally made its return to Europe's premier stage after nearly a decade, securing a fourth-place finish in the highly competitive La Liga.
Match Officials Confirmed for Benfica vs RB Salzburg
- Referee: Halil Umut Meler
- Assistant referees: Mustafa Eyisoy, Kerem Ersoy
- Fourth official: Arda Kardeşler
- Video Assistant Referee: Alper Ulusoy
- Assistant Video Assistant Referee: Abdulkadir Bitigen
Benfica vs RB Salzburg Prediction - 20/09/2023 - UEFA Champions League
Benfica are set to host Salzburg at the Estadio da Luz for UEFA Champions League group stage opening matchday on September 20. Leading up to this fixture, the home team are yet to play against Vizela in an away Liga Portugal match on September 16.
The defending champions have been gradually regaining their form after a less-than-ideal start to the season. Their season opener against Boavista ended in a surprising 3-3 draw on the road, a result that fell short of expectations. This came after they had triumphed over their bitter rivals, FC Porto, with a 2-0 victory in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, securing their first piece of silverware for the season.
As been said, the Eagles are currently trailing behind Porto in their quest to defend their domestic title. However, the club will definitely be eager to replicate their successful UEFA Champions League campaign from the previous season, 2022/23.
Salzburg, on the other hand, have every reason to be satisfied with their start to the new season. Moreover, they are strongly favored to secure another Austrian Bundesliga title.
Having completed five rounds, they boast a perfect record of five wins, conceding only twice, and demonstrating impressive efficiency by scoring fourteen goals. Nonetheless, their upcoming match against Benfica is likely to present the first significant challenge of the season for the Bulls.
Our prediction is that the meeting will end in a draw or the home team will secure a narrow victory against the Austrian outfit.
Benfica - 1.43 odds to win
Draw - 5.20
RB Salzburg - 7.50 odds to win
Benfica vs RB Salzburg Head-to-Head
There are no games played between the two teams previously.
Benfica vs RB Salzburg Predicted Lineups
Benfica XI: Soares; Bah, Otamendi, A. Silva, Aursnes; Kokcu, Florentino; Di Maria, Rafa Silva, Mario; Musa
RB Salzbug XI: Schlager; Dedic, Baidoo, Palvovic, Ulmer; Bidstrup, Gourna - Douath, Kjaergaard; Simic, Gloukh, Konate
How to watch Benfica vs RB Salzburg live, stream link and start time
- Australia: Stan Sport
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- Spain: Movistar+, Movistar Liga de Campeones
- UK: BT Sport App, BTSport.com, BT Sport 1, TalkSport Radio UK, BBC Radio 5 Live, BT Sport Ultimate
- United States: Paramount+, SiriusXM FC, TUDN USA, Univision, Univision NOW, CBS, VIX+, TUDN.com, TUDN App
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