Club Brugge vs Benfica: Predictions, tips & betting odds
The leaders of the Portuguese league are favourites to win at the Jan Breydel Stadium and rightly so given the hosts' poor form
Club Brugge host Benfica on Wednesday evening in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie with both sides likely to feel they have an excellent chance of making the quarter-finals of the competitions.
The Belgians were one of the revelations of the group stages finishing second in Group B ahead of Bayer Leverkusen and Atletico Madrid, although their domestic form has been poor with the side currently sitting fourth in the Jupiter Pro League.
Benfica meanwhile topped Group H ahead of PSG and Juventus and are clear favourites to progress to the last eight.
Club Brugge vs Benfica latest oddsThe Lisbon outfit are five points clear at the top of the Portuguese topflight, unbeaten this season in the Champions League, and it is no surprise to find them at 5/6 (1.83) with bet365 to win.
The hosts for their part can be backed at 10/3 (4.33) with the draw at 11/4 (3.75).
Club Brugge vs Benfica first goal scorer oddsGoncalo Ramos has 18 goals across all competitions for Benfica this season including five in 10 Champions League appearances (including qualifiers).
The Portugal international is offered at 4/1 (5.00) to open the scoring, with midfielder Joao Mario priced at a healthy looking at 7/1 (8.00).
The former Inter Milan man is the best scoring form of his career having netted 12 league goals and four strikes in the Champions League this term.
For the hosts, Belgian international Hans Vanaken is available at 9/1 (10.00).
Club Brugge vs Benfica previewThere is little reason to invest in a home win in this clash, with Brugge's form in the last couple of months extremely poor.
Scott Parker's men have won just one of their last 13 competitive matches (inside 90 minutes) and failed to score in their last three Champions League matches in Group B.
Benfica meanwhile are playing with confidence and scoring plenty of goals, and while the sale of Enzo Fernandez to Chelsea in January has left them weaker, they still have more than enough firepower to overcome an out-of-sorts Brugge outfit.
Club Brugge vs Benfica tips and predictionsBacking the visitors to win at 5/6 (1.83) looks like an appealing selection, while opposing the hosts to score at 6/4 (2.50) could also appeal.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
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