Benfica welcomes Barcelona to the Estádio da Luz on March 5, 2025, at 20:00 UTC, for what promises to be an electrifying UEFA Champions League showdown. With Barcelona favored at 1.87, Benfica at 3.55, and a draw at 4.2, the odds suggest the Catalan giants have the upper hand—but can the Portuguese side spring a surprise?
Benfica welcomes Barcelona to the Estádio da Luz on March 5, 2025, at 20:00 UTC, for what promises to be an electrifying UEFA Champions League showdown. With Barcelona favored at 1.87, Benfica at 3.55, and a draw at 4.2, the odds suggest the Catalan giants have the upper hand—but can the Portuguese side spring a surprise?

Barcelona boasts a squad valued at a staggering €1.01bn, dwarfing Benfica’s €341.20m, and they are expected to dominate possession with 65% of the ball. However, Benfica has proven they can go toe-to-toe with Europe’s elite, as seen in their 4-5 thriller against Barça in January.

The best betting tip from NerdyTips’ AI is X2 (Barcelona to win or draw) at 1.3, with a solid trust level of 7.6/10. Given Barça’s superior squad depth and control of the game, this looks like a safe bet. If you’re feeling bolder, backing Barcelona to win outright (2) at 1.87 is another strong option, though the trust level dips to 6.0/10.

Expect goals in this one—over 2.5 goals is priced at 1.4, though the trust level is a cautious 3.5/10. With both teams averaging a high number of shots (15 for Barça, 12 for Benfica) and their last encounter producing nine goals, this could be another high-scoring affair.

The predicted final score is 1-2, with Barcelona leading 0-1 at halftime. If you’re looking for additional markets, consider corners—Barcelona is expected to win 5, Benfica 3—or yellow cards, with both teams projected to receive two each.

Historically, home teams win 47.3% of Champions League matches, but away sides still claim 31.3% of victories. With Barcelona’s firepower and possession dominance, they have a strong chance of adding to that percentage.

In summary, Barcelona to win or draw (X2) at 1.3 is the safest bet, while Barcelona to win (2) at 1.87 offers more value. If you love goals, over 2.5 at 1.4 is worth considering. Will Benfica defy the odds, or will Barça’s class shine through? Place your bets wisely!