Russia meets Portugal as Spartak Moscow play host to Benfica in the 1st leg of their Champions League qualifier on Wednesday. The head-to-head record between these two sides is currently poised at one win apiece and we're expecting another close and competitive 90-minutes between the pair this time around.
Our Top Tips for Spartak Moscow vs Benfica
Unbiased tips
- Prediction one: Full-Time Result – Draw @ 9/4
- Prediction two: Total Goals – Under 2.5 Goals @ 4/5
- Prediction three: Correct Score – 1-1 Draw @ 13/2
The odds provided are up to date at the time of publication. Odds are subject to change though and you should always check with your bookmaker before placing any bets. Our recommended bookmaker for this match is Netbet.
Contents
Draw
We're predicting a stalemate in Russia this week and here's why. Benfica head into the 1st leg as the favourites but are yet to play a competitive game this season and have drawn two of their last three matches, while Spartak Moscow have won one and lost one in the Russian Premier League this season and have the home advantage but did lose against Benfica when the two sides last met.
Under 2.5 Goals
We're not predicting many goals in this game as under 2.5 were scored when the two sides last locked horns. Each of Spartak Moscow's last two outings and all of Benfica's last three fixtures have all ended with fewer than three goals being scored, so we believe the most likely result is a low-scoring draw this Wednesday.
1-1 Draw
In terms of a final scoreline, we're predicting that Wednesday's clash will end 1-1. We've already mentioned above why we think this game will be low-scoring and a final scoreline of 1-1 seems most suited because Benfica have scored in all bar one of their last four matches and Spartak have only failed to score in one of their last six outings.
Spartak Moscow vs Benfica: Key Stats and Markets
Benfica are the bookmaker's favourite to win in Moscow
Spartak Moscow started the new Russia Premier League season with defeat but bounced back in their second game with a win. However, our Russia hosts are yet to play at home this season and now they take on the might of Benfica in their first match at the Otkrytiye Arena knowing that they probably need to win to stand a realistic chance of progressing through to the next qualifying round. Spartak secured a 2-1 win when these two sides last met in Russia but that was back in 2012.
Benfica are yet to play a competitive game this season and head into their tie against Spartak Moscow as the bookmaker's favourite to progress into the next round. Benfica followed up their pre-season 1-0 win over Lille with a 1-1 draw against Marseille and will be expecting a very tough 90-minutes in Russia. This game doesn't look like it's going to have a lot of goals in it and if Benfica can leave on Wednesday with a draw then they will surely be the happier of the two sides.
Q&A – Spartak Moscow vs Benfica
- Who are bookmaker's favourites? – Benfica are the favourites for the 1st leg.
- What was the score last time these two sides met? – Benfica 2-0 Spartak Moscow, 7/11/12.
- What time does the game kick-off? – 18:00 GMT, 19:00 CET.
