Benfica vs Salzburg Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 UEFA Champions League | Group Stage
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THE FACTS
When is Benfica vs Salzburg on and what time does it start? Benfica vs Salzburg will take place on Wednesday 20th September, 2023 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Benfica vs Salzburg? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Benfica vs Salzburg on in the UK? Benfica vs Salzburg will be televised live on TNT Sports in the UK
Where can I stream Benfica vs Salzburg in the UK? Benfica vs Salzburg can be streamed live on the discovery+
THE LOWDOWN
BENFICA
After a hugely impressive run to the quarter-finals of the Champions League last season, Benfica begin another European campaign and will be fully expecting to qualify for the knockout phase once more, with this arguably their most favourable fixture of the group stage.
The reigning Portuguese champions began their league campaign with a 3-2 defeat to Boavista but they have since won their last four games and look in good shape ahead of this fixture.
SALZBURG
Salzburg will compete in the Champions League for the fifth year in a row, and will be seeking to reach the knockout rounds for the only the second time in their history. However, in a group also containing Inter Milan and Real Sociedad, there is no doubt they are facing an uphill battle to advance.
The Austrian side have started their domestic campaign in typically dominant fashion with Gerhard Struber's men leading the Bundesliga table, although they did suffer their first dropped points of the season on Saturday when they were held by Sturm Graz.
THE TEAM NEWS
BENFICA
Juan Bernat, David Jurasek and Goncalo Guedes are the three players occupying the Benfica treatment room at the moment, but boss Roger Schmidt otherwise has a fairly healthy squad at his disposal.
Arthur Cabral is an option up front but Petar Musa, who was on the scoresheet against Vizela on Saturday, has been preferred of late and is likely to take his place in Benfica's starting XI.
PREDICTED XI (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Bah, Otamendi, António Silva, Aursnes; João Neves, Orkun Kökçü; Di María, Rafa Silva, João Mário; Musa
UNAVAILABLE: Bernat (Injured), Jurásek (Injured), Gonçalo Guedes (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE:
SALZBURG
Salzburg are beset with injury problems heading into this fixture with five players definitely missing and a further three doubtful to make the trip to Portugal, so Struber must find solutions in various positions.
Youngster Karim Konate has caught they eye up front this season and will be one to watch in the Champions League.
PREDICTED XI (4-4-2): Schlager; Dedić, Pavlović, Baidoo, Terzić; Bidstrup, Gourna-Douath, Kjærgaard; Gloukh; Šimić, Konaté
UNAVAILABLE: Fernando (Injured), Okoh (Injured), Omoregie (Injured), Wallner (Injured), Yeo (Injured)
QUESTIONABLE: Gourna-Douath (Injured), Solet (Injured), Pavlovic (Illness)
THE PREDICTION
Although Salzburg reign supreme in Austria, and have produced a conveyor belt of talent in recent years, they invariably come up short in the Champions League and in Benfica they face an experienced side who reached the quarter-finals last season. If Salzburg are to achieve positive results in the competition, it is likely to be on home turf, so Benfica are tipped to take the three points here.
TIP: BENFICA TO WIN
