Juventus face SL Benfica in the UEFA Champions League 2022-23 at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Thursday, September 15. The match will start at 12:30 AM IST (Indian Standard Time).
Juventus suffered a 2-1 defeat against Paris Saint-Germain on matchday 1 of the UCL 2022-23 campaign. Although the Serie A record champions are unbeaten in the league this season, they have won only twice in six matches and are currently eighth on the points table with 10 points. New signing Paul Pogba is ruled out for the group stage of the Champions League, while Federico Chiesa, Angel Di Maria and Adrien Rabiot are unlikely to feature on matchday 2.
SL Benfica have won their last 17 matches on the bounce. The Portuguese giants are atop the Liga Portuguese 2022-23 points table while scoring 14 goals and conceding only thrice. Benfica were also convincing winners in the UCL qualifiers and won 2-0 against Maccabi Haifa in the first group stage match.
Juventus vs SL Benfica UEFA Champions League 2022-23 odds
Parimatch odds: Juventus: 2.25, SL Benfica: 3.35, Draw: 3.45
Betwinner odds: Juventus: 2.20, SL Benfica: 3.24, Draw: 3.42
Betway odds: Juventus: 2.25, SL Benfica: 3.10, Draw: 3.40
10CRIC odds: Juventus: 2.23, SL Benfica: 3.20, Draw: 3.41
Note: Odds are subject to change. Please visit betting sites to check and confirm the latest odds.
Juventus vs SL Benfica head-to-head
Juventus and SL Benfica have gone up against each other twice in the UEFA Champions League, with Benfica winning both legs of the semi-final of the 1967-68 season.
SL Benfica won the semi-final of the 2013-14 Europa League campaign against Juventus, aggregating 2-1. Meanwhile, the Turin-based club’s only win against the Portuguese giants came in the International Champions Cup in 2018.
Juventus vs SL Benfica UEFA Champions League 2022-23 squads
Juventus: Mattia Perin (goalkeeper), Wojciech Szczesny (goalkeeper), Carlo Pinsoglio (goalkeeper), Mattia De Sciglio, Danilo, Leonardo Bonucci (captain), Bremer, Alex Sandro, Daniele Rugani, Angel Di Maria, Paul Pogba, Arthur, Mattia Compagnon, Manuel Locatelli, Weston McKennie, Moise Kean, Leandro Paredes, Federico Chiesa, Marko Pjaca, Kaio Jorge, Juan Cuadrado, Dusan Vlahovic, Filip Kostic.
SL Benfica: Odysseas Vlachodimos (goalkeeper), Helton Leite (goalkeeper), Jan Vertonghen, Alexander Bah, Gilberto, Nicolas Otamendi (captain), Felipe Morato, Alejandro Grimaldo, Andre Almeida, Antonio Silva, Diogo Goncalves, Julian Weigl, Chiquinho, Enzo Fernandez, Florentino Luis, Joao Mario, Goncalo Ramos, Rafa Silva, Peter Musa, Paulo Bernardo, Roman Yaremchuk, Henrique Araujo, Diego Moreira, David Neres.
Juventus vs SL Benfica probable starting lineups
Juventus: Mattia Perin (goalkeeper); Danilo, Leonardo Bonucci (captain), Bremer, Alex Sandro; Leandro Paredes, Manuel Locatelli, Weston McKennie; Juan Cuadrado, Dusan Vlahovic, Filip Kostic.
SL Benfica: Odysseas Vlachodimos (goalkeeper); Gilberto, Antonio Silva, Nicolas Otamendi (captain), Alejandro Grimaldo; Florentino Luis, Enzo Fernandez; David Neres, Rafa Silva, Joao Mario; Goncalo Ramos.
Juventus vs SL Benfica UEFA Champions League 2022-23 combined fantasy XI
Mattia Perin (goalkeeper); Alejandro Grimaldo, Leonardo Bonucci (captain), Gilberto, Alex Sandro; Leandro Paredes, Manuel Locatelli, Weston McKennie; David Neres, Dusan Vlahovic, Rafa Silva.
Juventus top picks and players to watch vs SL Benfica UEFA Champions League 2022-23
Dusan Vlahovic: The Serbian striker has netted four goals in five Serie A matches this season. Vlahovic’s aerial ability will be a worry for the Benfica backline in this match. The 22-year-old is also efficient from the penalty spot and is capable of the spectacular from direct free-kicks.
Weston McKennie: The American midfielder scored against Paris Saint-Germain on matchday 1 of the UCL season. McKennie is a box-to-box midfielder who is influential in both boxes of the pitch and is especially good on defensive transitions. He averages 2.0 tackles per game in the Champions League this season.
SL Benfica top picks and players to watch vs Juventus UEFA Champions League 2022-23
Alejandro Grimaldo: The Spanish left-back was influential on matchday 1 of the UCL this season as he scored and assisted a goal in SL Benfica’s 2-0 win over Maccabi Haifa. Grimaldo also registered an assist in their last Liga Portugal match. The 26-year-old has got the ability to find a defence-splitting pass from deeper positions and is a good crosser of the ball.
Rafa Silva: SL Benfica’s attacking midfielder has netted a goal each in their last two matches. Silva averages 2.0 key passes per game for the Portuguese giants in the 2022-23 season. Overall, he has found the back of the net on five occasions in this campaign.
Juventus vs SL Benfica UEFA Champions League 2022-23 prediction
Juventus are unbeaten at home in the Serie A this season and the Old Lady of Turin displayed a commendable performance against Paris Saint-Germain on matchday 1 of this UCL campaign. The hosts have match-winners like Dusan Vlahovic in their team and are capable of bouncing back from their disappointment against PSG to win this time.
SL Benfica have a lower win probability than Juventus in this encounter. However, the visitors have been in great form this season and are unbeaten since May 2022. Benfica are expected to challenge the hosts on matchday 2.