As Benfica and Feyenoord prepare to clash in the Champions League on October 23, 2024, all eyes are on the Estadio da Luz, where the Portuguese giants are favored to win. Since Bruno Lage took over as Benfica manager, the team has been on a roll, winning six straight matches, including their opening two Champions League ties against Red Star Belgrade and Atletico Madrid.
Benfica’s recent form is impressive, with a 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in their last Champions League match. This streak has restored confidence among the team and their fans. Additionally, Benfica has not lost a competitive home match in 28 outings, which makes their home ground a formidable fortress.
Feyenoord, on the other hand, is facing significant challenges. Currently fourth in the Eredivisie, they have struggled with away games in European competitions. Last season, they lost four of their six group games, including defeats at Atletico Madrid, Lazio, and Celtic. Despite a recent 3-2 win over Girona, their defensive issues, particularly away from home, make this match a tough test for them.
The head-to-head record between the two teams is limited in recent years, but their last friendly match saw Benfica dominate with a 5-0 victory at the Estadio da Luz. Predictions suggest a similar outcome, with many tipping a 3-1 win for Benfica. Feyenoord’s ability to score, having found the net in ten of their 11 matches this season, means there could be plenty of goals in this match.
The referee for the match will be Halil Umut Meler from Turkey, known for calling an average of 21.63 fouls per game and issuing 3.88 yellow cards. Given the fouls and yellow cards statistics, betting on over 4.5 yellow cards in the match might be a good option.
Both teams have strong scoring records in the Champions League, with over 2.5 goals scored in most of their recent matches. This trend suggests that betting on more than 2.5 goals in this match could be a smart choice.
