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Benfica vs Maccabi Haifa: prediction for the Champions League fixture
Benfica square off against Maccabi Haifa in their UEFA Champions League opener on Tuesday, September 6. What to expect from this match? Look out for our prediction below.
Command Analysis
Benfica
PortugalBenfica had two different managers in the 2021-2022 season, but neither Jorge Jesus nor Nélson Veríssimo could deliver the results that were expected by the board. The Eagles finished in 3rd place in the Primeira Liga standings and had to pass two qualifying rounds to get into the main draw of the Champions League.
It was up to Roger Schmidt to get Benfica into the main European club competition The Portuguese club celebrated success over Midtjylland and Dynamo Kyiv in the qualifiers and secured a spot in Group H alongside Maccabi Haifa, Juventus, and PSG.
Benfica worked hard on the transfer market this summer. The club sold Darwin Núñez to Liverpool, Roman Yaremchuk to Club Brugge, and Everton Soares to Flamengo. David Neres moved to Benfica from Shakhtar, Enzo Fernández - from River Plate, and Julian Draxler was loaned from PSG.
The Eagles were off to a flying start in the new Primeira Liga season. They won five games out of five and top the standings, two points ahead of the second Braga.
Maccabi Haifa
IsraelMaccabi Haifa were the first Israeli club to play in the Champions League. In 2003, they created a sensation by beating Manchester United (3:0), but couldn't qualify from their group and finished in 3rd place. In 2009-2010 season, Haifa played alongside Bordeaux, Bayern, and Juventus and were the weakest side - back then, they didn't earn a single point.
This is the Greens' third appearance in the main draw of the Champions League. To reach the group stage, Maccabi Haifa defeated Olympiacos, Apollon, and Crvena Zvezda in the qualifying rounds.
In July, Barak Bakhar's men lost the Israeli Super Cup match against Hapoel Be'er Sheva. They were off to a good start in the new edition of the Israeli Premier League - after three straight wins, Maccabi are in 2nd place in the standings.
Trends
СтавкаCorrect score 3:0
This score was recorded in 2 of the last 4 games that Benfica won.
СтавкаBenfica to score in each half
In 2 of the last 3 games, Benfica scored in each half.
СтавкаMaccabi to not score
Benfica kept a clean sheet in 4 of their last 6 games.
Tip and bets
Benfica are on top form, and the fans expect the Eagles to extend the winning streak. It shouldn't be too difficult to collect three points in this fixture - the hosts are a better team on paper, they looked great in their recent games, and have much more experience in the Champions League than the Israeli club.
Our prediction– Asian handicap (-1.5) to Benfica
PSG and Juventus are the favourites to qualify from this group, but obviously Benfica will strive for a top-2 finish. To achieve that, they must beat Maccabi, objectively the weakest side in this group. It all might come to goal difference in the end, so today the Eagles will go all out on offence.
Second bet - Benfica to win by 3 goals
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