RB Leipzig vs Benfica – Prediction (Champions League – 27.11.2019)

Preview and Teams Comparison.

This will be the second European meeting between RB Leipzig and Benfica – Leipzig won 2-1 in the previous meeting on MD1 of this season’s UEFA Champions League.

Clear favourites ahead of this UEFA Champions League (UCL) clash, RB Leipzig have won both halves in each of their last five competitive victories. In addition, Leipzig’s last five competitive home matches (W3, D1, L1) have seen them outscore the opposition by an average ratio of 3:1. Their best may be reserved until later though, with the hosts failing to score a first-half goal across their last three UCL home games. Relevantly, two of Leipzig’s three UCL victories this term have yielded a ‘2-1’ scoreline, with both of those particular wins each seeing Leipzig’s goals on the day arrive in the second half.

Benfica have lost three of four UCL matches this term (W1, L3), while additionally losing their last four UCL away games in succession. Nonetheless, there may be a high goal count, as five of their last six UCL trips have each tallied over 3.5 match goals. It could get worse however, as seven of Benfica’s last nine UCL away defeats have seen them lose both halves. As an added ‘bonus’, Benfica have lost by a margin of 2+ goals in each of their last three trips to Germany.

Players to watch: Timo Werner single-handedly won the reverse H2H for Leipzig, with a double beyond the hour mark. Benfica’s Carlos Vinícius has scored a second-half goal in each of his side’s last two competitive away fixtures.

Stat attack: Every goal scored by Leipzig in this UCL group stage has arrived in the 45th minute (plus stoppage-time) or beyond. Four of Benfica’s five goals scored in the UCL this term have arrived beyond the 75th minute. Benfica have scored the last match goal on three occasions (W1, L2) in this UCL group stage.

Match Info and Live Scores.