Benfica will aim to book a spot in the knockout stage of this season's UEFA Champions League when they welcome Juventus to Estadio da Luz on Tuesday. The Eagles are on the brink of qualification and they enter the upcoming encounter knowing that a win will be enough to take them over the finish line.
The Portuguese club's bid has been assisted massively by the fact that they managed successive draws against group favourites Paris Saint-Germain. Both teams are tied on eight points in the group having won their respective games against Juventus and Maccabi Haifa. As things stand, a draw in either of the two games left should be able to secure them a spot in the next round.
Over the weekend, Benfica added to their impressive start to the season by extending their unbeaten streak to 18 games. Rafa Silva's strike against rivals FC Porto propelled Roger Schmidt's side to their ninth win of the season, putting them six point adrift of their archenemies atop the Primiera Liga table as a result.
Having already won 2-1 in Turin on Group H's second matchday, they are primed to finish the job on their home turf. But the side they face will be eager to turn things around in their favor with the possibility of playing in the Europa League burgeoning. Juve will travel to Lisbon having suffered a disappointing defeat at Maccabi Haifa in their last Champions League outing.
The Bianconeri are currently five points adrift of the top two in Group H and are required to win their last two matches while hoping that results elsewhere go in their favor in order to stand a chance of usurping either PSG or Benfica. They go into Tuesday's game having recorded successive Serie A wins against Empoli and Torino. In both cases, Max Allegri's men were able to keep cleansheets, a feat they had not been able to manage since their first two games of the season.
Key stats and head-to-head record for Benfica vs Juventus
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Benfica are without defeat in their last 9 Champions League matches.
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Benfica remain undefeated in their last 5 matches against Juventus in all competitions.
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Juventus have secured just two wins in their previous eight trips away to Portuguese sides (D2, L4).
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Juventus could be eliminated in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in nine years.
Team news: Benfica vs Juventus
Benfica have no injury concerns ahead of Tuesday's encounter. On he contrary, manager Max Allegri revealed that both Federico Chiesa (ACL) and Paul Pogba (knee) are nearing returns. However, the pair are unlikely to be risked in Lisbon. In addition, Angel Di Maria (muscle), Kaio Jorge (ACL), Gleison Bremer (muscle), Leandro Paredes (muscle), and Mattia De Sciglio (hamstring) are all unavailable for selection in the clash with Benfica as they continue to recuperate.
Broadcast information for Benfica vs Juventus
Match details, result and original broadcast info
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Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
