Benfica v Man Utd, Latest Team News, Likely XI’s, Match Prediction + Betting

Manchester United will be looking to put one foot in the knockout stages of the Champions League when they take on Benfica in Portugal this evening.

The Red Devils have picked up a maximum six points from their opening two games so far having already secured victories over FC Basel and CSKA Moscow.

The results leave United sitting top of Group A so they know a win tonight would put them within touching distance of qualification to the knockout stages for the first time since 2013/14.

Benfica have endured a tough campaign so far as they sit bottom of the group on zero points so the Portuguese giants simply have to win tonight in order to keep alive their slim hopes of qualification to the next phase.

Team news

Jose Mourinho has confirmed Marcos Rojo won’t be involved for at least another two weeks as he looks to make his long-awaited comeback from a knee ligament injury.

United will continue to be without Eric Bailly as the defender is still nursing a knock that he picked up while on international duty while Michael Carrick is also still out.

Marouane Fellaini and Paul Pogba remain on the treatment table while Zlatan Ibrahimovic is also recovering from knee ligament damage.

As for Benfica, they’ll be without right-back Andre Almeida due to suspension after he was sent off in Switzerland last time out so Barcelona loanee Douglas should deputise.

Jonas is expected to miss out with a back complaint while Mario Jardel and Eliseu are also out through injury.

Likely Line-Ups

Predicted Score

Benfica 1-2 Man Utd: The Reds have lost just one of their nine games against Benfica while United have never failed to score against the Portuguese giants. The hosts aren’t playing well this season while United have been in excellent form so I can see them coming home with all three points.

Betting Tips

United are 20/23 with the bookmakers to win the game but we can get new customers enhanced odds of 25/1 on the visitors – just click here to take advantage of these crazy odds [winning paid in free bets, max stake £1, T&C’s apply].

However, here are some other bets I like the look of:

• Both teams to score at: 19/20 – a £10 bet would return £19.50
• Exact score of 2-1 United win at: 15/2 – a £10 bet would return £85
• Mata to score first in 2-1 United win at: 25/1 – a £10 bet would return £260