Spartak Moscow vs Benfica prediction for Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League clash at Otkrytiye Arena in Moscow. The first leg of this crunch match between Spartak Moscow and Benfica will be played at Otkrytiye Arena to determine who will enter the playoff round to make the UEFA Champions League group stage. Read on for our free prediction and betting tips.
Spartak Moscow must improve from their domestic form
Recently appointed Portuguese coach Rui Vitoria had a mixed start with his new club losing one game and winning another one in the Russian Premier League. Vitoria and his team will face a much tougher opponent in this showdown as Spartak aim to reach the UEFA Champions League group stages for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
The loser of the tie will play straight in the Europa League group stages. Spartak Moscow are playing in the UCL after finishing second in the Russian Premier League last season. Coach Vitoria has faced his former employers 13 times in his career with little success (W2, D1, L10). The Russians would also like to put their recent record against Portuguese opponents behind them as they lost both legs in the 2019/20 edition.
Spartak Key Points
Benfica keen on getting back their dominance
Jorge Jesus’ Benfica are yet to start their domestic campaign. The Portuguese side will be fired up for this match as they have appeared in two European finals under Jesus’ charge in the last decade. However, Jesus has won just one of six European qualifying away legs despite Benfica being favorites every time. Both teams have scored in all of those six matches.
After seeing their reign on Portuguese football ended by rivals Porto and Sporting Lisbon, Benfica look determined to get their dominance back domestically. Benfica were very busy in the transfer market with high-profile players like Yaremchuk, Joao Mario, and Soualiho Meite signing in to strengthen Jesus’ side for the upcoming campaign.
Benfica Key Points
Spartak Moscow vs Benfica Prediction
If we look at the record of each team against the opposing nation we see that Spartak have a record of W4, D2, L6 against Portuguese opponents in the European competitions. While Benfica’s record against Russian opponents stands at W8, D4, L8.
Benfica are the clear favorites to qualify from the tie with Vbet offering 1.29 for the Portuguese giants. Meanwhile the odd for a win are much more profitable. 3.11 for a home win and 2.35 for an away win at Vbet makes those odds very appealing.
Benfica have not played a competitive match this season yet and despite not losing any of their four pre-season friendlies, we think it will take time for Jorge Jesus’ team to get into such an important match. Thus we will offer our prediction on the BTTS market for this match.
Spartak Moscow vs Benfica Betting Tips
Both Teams To Score Yes 1.74 at Vbet
1 or 2 and Under 2.5 Goals 2.89 at Vbet