Barcelona vs Benfica Tips & Predictions - Barcelona to complete UCL victory and move into quarter-finals

After conquering Benfica 1-0 on the road despite playing with 10 men from the 22nd minute, Barcelona return home in a bid to complete their assignment and advance into the last eight of the Champions League. Currently the only team across Europe's big five leagues that are yet to suffer defeat in 2025, I'm backing Barcelona to emerge victorious here.

However, Benfica can get on the scoresheet in defeat. The Portuguese heavyweights have scored in four of their last five UCL games and managed four goals against Barcelona when the two teams square off in the league phase in January. Prior to the first leg, Barcelona had also conceded in their last three Champions League outings. Benfica need to attack, so chances should be created at both ends, so both teams to score is the best bet, with Barcelona prevailing.

As mentioned, Barcelona registered a 1-0 win in Lisbon last week, with Raphinha scoring the winner in the 61st minute after defender Pau Cubarsi was sent off in the 22nd minute for tripping.

Barcelona didn't feature in La Liga action over the weekend, meaning their last outing was that 1-0 triumph over Benfica last week.

Hansi Flick's side have been mightily impressive throughout the opening 70 or so days of 2025, going unbeaten in their 16 games and winning 13.

Flying high at the top of the La Liga ladder with a game in hand, Barcelona have an upcoming clash with Atletico Madrid this weekend, which might come into play should the hosts be winning comfortable in the final third of this game.

Barcelona have scored exactly four goals in their last two home games, including a 4-0 triumph over Real Sociedad and a thrilling 4-4 draw with Atletico in the Copa del Rey.

Benfica head into this encounter having won eight of their last 10 games, with their only defeat in that period coming in the first leg of this Champions League tie.

Bruno Lage's side have made up ground in the Liga Portugal over the last few months since Ruben Amorin departed Sporting, with Benfica now just three points behind the leaders with a game in hand.

Benfica were in action in the league over the weekend, easing past Nacional by a 3-0 score.

Having scored in four of their last five UCL games, Benfica will be confident of giving this game a real nudge. Vangelis Pavlidis will be the main target, with the striker scoring a hat-trick within 30 minutes when the two teams squared off in the league phase in January.