Benfica vs. Midtjylland: preview and betting tips

The third round of the Champions League kicks off on Tuesday, with Benfica Lisbon welcoming Midtjylland. What to expect from the third team of the Portuguese league against the Danish runner-up and what to bet on?

Benfica have done well in their preparations, winning all five games and in hindsight regret finishing third in the league last year. It was not enough to beat Porto and Sporting anyway, eleven points behind second place at the end of the season.

Midtjylland did make it through the second preliminary round, but struggled against Cypriot outsiders Larnaca and only progressed on penalties. It also failed to do well on the league stage, picking up just four points in three rounds.

The home side will rely on Rafa Silva after the departure of Darwin Nunez, the agile winger netted twelve goals and assisted six times last season. Roman Yaremchuk scored nine times and assisted on seven goals.

Longtime mainstay Anders Dreyer has thrived from the season opener, picking up three goals and two assists in his opening five games. Forward Sory Kaba can also be dangerous, but has only been on the scoresheet for two goals (1+1) so far this year.

The home team has been scorching in the preparation, scoring an average of 3.4 goals per game, giving Fulham five.

This does not play into the hands of Midtjylland, who have not kept a clean sheet for eight games in a row.

Given Benfica’s form in the build-up, I think they will win. On the other hand, given the progression through Larnaca and the subsequent 5-1 win in the league, I predict it will be by two goals at most.