The top two teams in Group H, both with 100% records after two outings, clash on Wednesday at the Estadio da Luz as Benfica host PSG at 20:00 GMT. Both sides will be looking to preserve their perfect records in the group as they both bid to lead Group H going after matchday 3.
Match Preview
Can PSG Keep their Perfect Record in Group H Away to Benfica?
Christophe Galtier’s men will go into the clash with Benfica after the close, last-minute, win over Nice in Ligue 1, following another close 1-0 win away to Lyon last week.
Christophe Galtier will be looking to step up his side’s dominance, especially the attacking third, to return to their rampant best.
But with Galtier favoring a back-three with marauding wing-backs, questions have been asked whether the formation is hindering PSG’s best players.
The French Champions will be looking to put this to bed when they face Benfica on Wednesday with a win.
Can Benfica make it three wins out of three in Group H?
The unbeaten Primeira Liga leaders, after eight matches, will be looking to make it three wins on the trot in Group H when they host a very good PSG side on Wednesday.
Given the attacking talents at PSG’s disposal, Roger Schmidt will be looking to contain the dangers they pose while maximizing his side’s strengths playing in front of the home crowd.
Benfica will focus on maintaining their natural game, playing bravely in possession, and putting PSG under pressure when they attack.
Form Guide
Benfica
Benfica have been in flying form this season. Roger Schmidt’s men won seven consecutive matches in the Primeira Liga before their surprising 0-0 stalemate away to Vitoria SC on Saturday.
In their eight fixtures this season, they have won seven times and drawn once. They have scored 19 goals and conceded just three. They have amassed 22 points out of the available 24, and top the table three points ahead of second-placed Braga.
In the Champions League, they opened their account with a 2-0 home win over Maccabi Haifa before impressively dispatching Juventus 1-2 away in Turin.
PSG
The French champions are unbeaten too; they have played nine, won eight, and drawn once. They have hauled an impressive 25 points out of the available 27. Galtier’s men have plundered 28 goals and conceded just five. They sit at the top of Ligue two points behind fellow unbeaten side Marseille.
They have a 100% record in their last 5 matches, having won all of them.
In the Champions League, PSG opened their campaign with a close 2-1 home win over Juventus before winning convincingly 1-3 away to Maccabi Haifa on matchday 2.
Possible Starting Lineups
Benfica
Vlachodimos; Alex Grimaldo, N. Otamendi, A. Silva, A. Bah; E. Fernandez, F. Luis; J. Mario, R. Silva, D. Neres; G. Ramos
PSG
Donnarumma; N. Mukiele, Marquinhos, S. Ramos; A. Hakimi, Vitinha, F. Ruiz, J. Bernat; L. Messi, Neymar; K. Mbappe
Players to Watch
D. Neres
Neres has been impactful for Benfica this season, grabbing three goals in seven appearances in the Primeira Liga, while notching twice across five appearances for Benfica in the Champions qualifiers and group-stage matches.
The 25-year-old Brazilian winger brings pace, creativity, and a goal threat to this Benfica side. These attributes will be crucial for Benfica when they face an attacking-oriented PSG side on Wednesday.
Neymar
Neymar has been flying this season in Ligue 1; he has eight goals in nine appearances for PSG. The 30-year-old has also scored one goal in two appearances in the Champions League this term.
The forward is a central cog in the dynamic PSG attack. His on-pitch relationship with Messi and Mbappe is central to PSG’s success this season.
Neymar’s dribbling, movement, pace, and finishing are important tools in the PSG arsenal, which will come in hand on Wednesday.
Prediction
Benfica will look to get on the ball and create chances through their passing; they will press PSG when they have possession, and they will look to pass vertically when they win the ball.
PSG will look to dominate the match with possession, patient build-up from the back, and create chances through the overloads created by the wing-backs on either wing.
PSG will have too much for Benfica and will win the match, and that the three points.
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