Benfica vs Celtic Prediction & Betting Tips

Form: Benfica in better shape than Celtic right now

Over their last 20 matches, Benfica have won 13, drawn 4 and lost just 3, scoring 58 goals along the way. Their most recent result was a 3-1 loss away to Porto in the league, but before that they'd strung together wins in Europe and at home, including a 3-1 win over Gil Vicente and a 2-0 away win at AC Milan in the Europa League.

Benfica: 20 completed matches; Celtic: 20 completed matches.

Benfica

20 matches

Win

65% 13 / 20

Draw

20% 4 / 20

Loss

15% 3 / 20

Scored

58

Conceded

21

Difference

+37

Celtic

20 matches

Win

60% 12 / 20

Draw

15% 3 / 20

Loss

25% 5 / 20

Scored

40

Conceded

28

Difference

+12

Celtic's overall record over the same length of sample still reads well on paper, 12 wins from 20, but their last few matches have been shaky. They lost 0-1 at home to Rangers in the league, went down 1-3 at home to Ferencvarosi in the Europa League, and were beaten 3-0 by Rangers in the League Cup. Wins over St Johnstone and St Mirren offer some comfort, but the recent home form especially has been poor.

Celtic's slump has come in the games that matter most for European progress, which is worth remembering here.

Comparative Team Statistics: Benfica vs Celtic

History offers little to go on

These two have only met twice, both in the 2012-13 Champions League. Benfica won the home leg 2-1, and the away leg finished goalless. It's a tiny sample from well over a decade ago, so it doesn't tell us much about how either side will approach this one.

Early Europa League table

After the opening round of this season's Europa League league phase, Benfica sit seventh with a win, having scored twice without conceding. Celtic are down in 28th place after that 1-3 home defeat to Ferencvarosi, meaning they're already playing catch-up in the wider standings.

One match is a small sample, but Celtic can't afford another slip if they want to climb back up the table.

Who's carrying the goal threat

Benfica's recent scoring load in Europe has been shared around, with Kamiński and Lukebakio both among the goals in continental games this season, and Kamiński also chipping in with an assist. Pavlidis and Barreiro have each picked up two yellow cards in their six European appearances, so discipline is a small factor worth keeping an eye on. There's no equivalent breakdown available for Celtic's squad, so we can't compare like for like.

Benfica:

Best scorers:

J. Kamiński - 1

D. Lukebakio - 1

Best assist providers:

J. Kamiński - 1

A. Bah - 1

Penalty cards:

V. Pavlidis x 2

L. Barreiro x 2