Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the Champions League match.
Benfica's stunning form has already made them the leaders of the Portuguese league in terms of points dropped. They are now joining the chase for a top-eight spot in the Champions League. Facing Bologna, the Lisbon side should not encounter significant danger, especially after showing resilience in their last European outing against a formidable opponent.
Benfica
Against AS Monaco (3:2), Benfica maximised their efforts in a critical situation, with Arthur Cabral and Zeki Amdouni coming off the bench to score decisive goals after the opponent went down to ten men. They created 3.03 xG with 18 shots against AS Monaco, and since 10 November, they have secured five consecutive victories with an aggregate score of 17:3. Benfica likely won't have injured players Goncalo Guedes and Renato Sanches, but all other key players are available.
Bologna
In contrast to their impressive run in Serie A and the Coppa Italia, Bologna's situation in the Champions League is nearly hopeless. A 1:2 defeat to Lille marked their first goal in the competition, but they remained without points—just one point after five rounds. Against Lille, Bologna managed to create 2.16 xG, and without five injured starters, the coaching staff will have to seriously rethink their lineup.
Benfica vs Bologna Prediction
In Lisbon, Benfica will look to capitalise on Bologna's already dire state. Expect goals from the hosts, who are well motivated.
