Barcelona vs Benfica: UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg Match Preview, Where to Watch, Lineups, and Prediction

Barcelona and Benfica are set to clash in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium on Tuesday, March 12, 2025. With both teams vying for a spot in the quarterfinals, this match promises to be a thrilling encounter.

 Match Details

- Date: Tuesday, March 12, 2025  

- Kick-off Time: 8:00 PM GMT / 3:00 PM ET  

- Venue: Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, Spain  

Where to Watch

- United Kingdom: Live coverage on TNT Sports, with streaming available via Discovery+  

- United States: Live streaming on Paramount+  

- Canada: Broadcast on DAZN  

- Australia: Available on Stan Sport  

 Team News and Lineups

Barcelona Team News

Barcelona heads into the second leg with confidence after securing a crucial result in the first meeting. However, manager Hansi Flick faces concerns over the fitness of key players. Gavi remains sidelined, while Jules Koundé and Alejandro Balde are expected to be available. The attacking trio of Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski, and Raphinha will aim to break down Benfica’s defense.

Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

- Goalkeeper: Marc-André ter Stegen  

- Defenders: Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Iñigo Martínez, Alejandro Balde  

- Midfielders: Frenkie de Jong, Pedri  

- Attacking Midfielders: Lamine Yamal, Ilkay Gündogan, Raphinha  

- Forward: Robert Lewandowski  

 Benfica Team News

Benfica will need a strong performance away from home to overturn the aggregate score. Ángel Di María remains a doubt, while Florentino’s availability is uncertain. Manager Roger Schmidt will rely on Rafa Silva and João Neves to lead the charge.

Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1):

- Goalkeeper: Anatoliy Trubin  

- Defenders: Alexander Bah, Nicolas Otamendi, Antonio Silva, Juan Bernat  

- Midfielders: João Neves, Orkun Kökcü  

- Attacking Midfielders: Di María (if fit), Rafa Silva, David Neres  

- Forward: Arthur Cabral  

Head-to-Head Record

- Matches Played: 9  

- Barcelona Wins: 5  

- Benfica Wins: 1  

- Draws: 3  

Barcelona has dominated their encounters with Benfica, winning five of their nine previous meetings. The first leg saw Barcelona edge a narrow victory, setting up an intense second-leg battle.

 Odds and Prediction

- Barcelona win: -130  

- Draw: +320  

- Benfica win: +290  

- Over/Under 2.5 goals: Over (-120), Under (+100)  

Barcelona will look to leverage their home advantage and attacking firepower to secure progression. Benfica, however, has the quality to cause an upset if they capitalize on their counter-attacking opportunities. Expect an engaging contest, with Barcelona likely sealing a 2-1 victory.