Benfica vs Atletico Madrid: Prediction, Match Preview & Live Streaming, 3 October 2024

Get ready for an exciting Champions League clash as Benfica hosts Atlético Madrid on October 3rd at the iconic Estadio da Luz. Both teams are riding high, with victories in their opening matches of the competition.

Benfica, under new coach Bruno Lage, has shown impressive form with a five-match unbeaten streak domestically (WWWWD), and they look to take advantage of their home ground. However, they face a formidable test against Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid, who remain unbeaten this season (DWDWW) and have a good track record in Europe.

Benfica may find their attacking play disrupted by Atlético’s well-organised and disciplined defence. Our prediction sees Atlético to win (Draw No Bet), as their experience and tactical prowess could edge out Benfica.

The two sides have recent head-to-head strength, making this an expected fight in front of passionate fans. With both clubs eyeing important points, expect a thrilling encounter.

Benfica vs. Atlético Madrid Prediction & Betting tip

Our recommended betting tip for this exciting Champions League clash is Atlético Madrid to Win Draw No Bet. This prediction is based on several compelling reasons that highlight Atlético Madrid’s strengths and tactical edge over Benfica. Below is a table summarising the recommendations:

Benfica vs. Atletico Madrid Prediction
Betting tip	Odds
Atlético Madrid to Win Draw No Bet	1.77

Defensive Solidity: Atlético Madrid is renowned for its disciplined and organised defence, making it tough for Benfica to break through and score easily.
Experienced Campaigners: With a stellar European record under Diego Simeone, Atlético Madrid’s experience in handling high-pressure matches gives them a clear advantage.
Recent Form: Both teams are in good form, but Atlético’s unbeaten streak (DWDWW) indicates they are particularly well-prepared for this encounter. Overall, Atlético Madrid’s blend of experience, tactical acumen, and solid defence make them the favoured choice for this bet.

Benfica vs. Atlético Madrid Odds

For this Champions League encounter, the odds are quite close, reflecting the competitive nature of both teams. Despite no clear bookmaker favourite, the slightly lower odds for a Benfica win suggest a slight edge for the home team due to their recent form and home advantage. However, Atlético Madrid’s b defensive setup and experience in high-stakes matches make this a balanced matchup.

Benfica vs. Atlético Madrid Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
Benfica	2.64
Draw	3.33
Atlético Madrid	2.69
With the odds so closely matched, this is set to be an exciting and unpredictable clash.

Benfica Team Analysis

Benfica Recent Performance WWWWD

Benfica has been in impressive form recently, racking up four wins and one draw in their last five matches. Under the guidance of new coach Bruno Lage, they seem revitalized and focused. Their average goals scored over these five games stand at a solid 3.00, reflecting their potent offensive capabilities. Defensively, they’ve managed one clean sheet in the same period, suggesting there is room for improvement at the back. Here’s a look at their recent results:

Home team	Away team	Result
Benfica	Gil Vicente	5-1 (Win)
Boavista	Benfica	0-3 (Win)
FK Crvena Zvezda	Benfica	1-2 (Win)
Benfica	Santa Clara	4-1 (Win)
Moreirense	Benfica	1-1 (Draw)

Benfica’s recent surge of victories shows a team in sync with their new coach’s tactics, focusing on a high-scoring strategy while looking to tighten their defence.

Benfica Key Players

Benfica’s key players will need to be at their best to navigate this challenging clash against Atletico Madrid. Leading the line is Vangelis Pavlidis, who has been consistent in scoring. Supporting him in attack are Ángel Di María and Kerem Aktürkoğlu, the latter being the team’s top scorer with one goal so far in the tournament.

Midfield dynamo Orkun Kökçü, who also has one goal to his name in this Champions League season, will be pivotal in creating opportunities. Defensively, Nicolás Otamendi and António Silva will be crucial in handling Atlético’s offensive threats.

Expected lineup for Benfica:

Goalkeeper: Anatolii Trubin
Defenders: Alexander Bah, António Silva, Nicolás Otamendi, Álvaro Fernández Carreras
Midfielders: Fredrik Aursnes, Florentino Luís, Orkun Kökçü
Attackers: Ángel Di María, Vangelis Pavlidis, Kerem Aktürkoğlu

Benfica Suspensions & Injuries

Suspensions:

None

Injuries:

Player	Injury	Expected return
Tiago Gouveia	Shoulder injury	Mid October 2024
Renato Sanches	Muscle injury	Mid October 2024

Benfica will be missing key players Tiago Gouveia and Renato Sanches, both expected to return by mid-October. While Gouveia’s absence on the wings is a setback, the more impactful loss is Sanches, given his consistent performances in the midfield. Coach Bruno Lage will need to adjust his strategy and rely on the depth of his squad to maintain their recent winning momentum. The injury list, although short, affects the team’s flexibility and could make defensive transitions more vulnerable, an area they already struggle with.

Benfica Tactics and Formation

Benfica Tactical Breakdown:

Formation: 4-2-3-1
Key Forward: Vangelis Pavlidis
Midfield Support: Angel Di Maria (Right Wing), Kerem Aktürkoğlu (Left Wing), Orkun Kökçü (Attacking Midfielder)
Defensive Structure: Fredrik Aursnes, Florentino Luís (Defensive Midfielders)

Strategy:

Offensive Focus: Utilizes wide players like Di Maria and Aktürkoğlu to stretch the opposition’s defense.
Midfield Control: Kökçü’s goal-scoring ability adds a threat from behind the striker.
Defense: Despite recent instability in defensive transitions, the presence of experienced defenders like Nicolas Otamendi provides some solidity.

With coach Bruno Lage’s preference for high-tempo transitions, Benfica aims to capitalize on fast breaks while maintaining a compact defensive shape.

Atlético Madrid Team Analysis

Atlético Madrid Recent Performance DWDWW

Atlético Madrid has been in solid form lately, as evidenced by their unbeaten streak in the last five matches. They have secured two wins and three draws, showing a good balance of defensive solidity and offensive efficiency.

Recent Form: DWDWW
Average Goals Scored: 1.60 goals per game
Clean Sheets: 2 in their last 5 games Their resilience was on display in their last game, a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid, and a crucial 2-1 win against RB Leipzig in the Champions League.

Recent Results

Home team	Away team	Result
Atlético Madrid	Real Madrid	1-1 (Draw)
Celta Vigo	Atlético Madrid	0-1 (Win)
Rayo Vallecano	Atlético Madrid	1-1 (Draw)
Atlético Madrid	RB Leipzig	2-1 (Win)
Atlético Madrid	Valencia	3-0 (Win)
With an average of 1.60 goals scored and two clean sheets in their last five matches, Atlético Madrid’s balance between defense and attack makes them formidable opponents.

Atlético Madrid Key Players

Expected lineup for Atlético Madrid:

Goalkeeper: Jan Oblak
Defenders: Marcos Llorente, Nahuel Molina Lucero, José Giménez, Reinildo Mandava, Samuel Dias Lino
Midfielders: Antoine Griezmann, Conor Gallagher, Rodrigo De Paul
Forwards: Julián Álvarez, Alexander Sørloth

Antoine Griezmann will be the key figure to watch, given his goal-scoring prowess and creative capabilities. Another critical player is Jan Oblak, whose shot-stopping ability can make a significant impact. In the midfield, Rodrigo De Paul and Conor Gallagher will likely play crucial roles in breaking up Benfica’s attacks. Their b defense, led by José Giménez, will be tasked with managing the likes of Angel Di Maria and Vangelis Pavlidis, making these individual battles fascinating to watch.

Atlético Madrid Suspensions & Injuries

Injuries could pose a challenge for Atlético Madrid heading into this Champions League clash against Benfica. First up, Pablo Barrios is back in training but may not be at full fitness yet. Cesar Azpilicueta, recovering from a thigh injury, is expected to return in mid-October 2024. Robin Le Normand is sidelined with a head injury and is also expected back in mid-October 2024.

Player	Injury	Expected return
Pablo Barrios	Muscle injury	Back in training
Cesar Azpilicueta	Thigh injury	Mid October 2024
Robin Le Normand	Head injury	Mid October 2024

These absences, especially in defense, might necessitate tactical adjustments by coach Diego Simeone to plug any gaps effectively. Given Atlético’s solid defensive record, their ability to adapt will be crucial.

Atlético Madrid Tactics and Formation

Formation: Expected to utilize a 3-5-2 setup.
Key Forwards: Julián Álvarez and Alexander Sørloth leading the attack.
Midfield Dynamics: Antoine Griezmann orchestrates the playmaking, supported by Conor Gallagher and Rodrigo De Paul.
Defensive Strength: Two clean sheets in the last five games, highlighting reliability.

Atlético Madrid’s tactical approach under Diego Simeone is disciplined and defence-first. With injuries in the squad, Simeone might adjust but will likely maintain a compact defensive structure, focusing on swift counter-attacks.

Griezmann’s role as a central midfielder adds creativity, while the wing-backs, Marcos Llorente and Samuel Dias Lino, provide width. Their disciplined defence could frustrate Benfica’s offence, leaning on Jan Oblak’s experience in goal.

Benfica vs. Atlético Madrid Head-to-Head Statistics

Let’s take a closer look at the recent head-to-head encounters between Benfica and Athletico Madrid. Both teams have faced each other three times previously, with a balanced record in all matches.

Home	Away	Result
Benfica	Atlético Madrid	1-2
Atlético Madrid	Benfica	1-2
Benfica	Atlético Madrid	1-2

In these encounters, neither team managed to dominate, with each match being closely contested. Their most recent matchup showcases Atlético Madrid’s slight edge over Benfica with two wins, both by the same narrow margin. This adds an interesting dynamic to their next clash.

Venue and Weather

Estadio da Luz, with a capacity of around 64,642 spectators, is set to host the Champions League clash between Benfica and Atletico Madrid. Known for its electrifying atmosphere, the venue will undoubtedly play a role in lifting the spirits of the home side. The weather forecast for kickoff at 00:30 AM on October 3, 2024, indicates overcast clouds, with a temperature of 11°C.