On March 6, 2025, football fans will be treated to two thrilling matchups as Benfica takes on Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain faces Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League round of 1/8. Both matches promise to deliver excitement, drama, and top-quality football as clubs from respective leagues vie for progression.
First up, Benfica will meet Barcelona at their home ground. The two teams recently clashed during the group stage, where Barcelona emerged victorious with a nail-biting 5-4 win. Remarkably, during this encounter, Benfica led 4-2 until the 78th minute—a display of nerve and tenacity from the home side.
Since their last meeting, Benfica has been impressive, currently riding high on an eight-match unbeaten streak, which includes seven victories. They sit second in the Portuguese league, showcasing one of the strongest attacking lines, having netted 53 goals from 23 matches, trailing only Sporting Lisbon. The Eagles dazzled throughout the group stages by scoring 16 goals, indicating their attacking prowess.
On the other hand, Barcelona is entering the match with even more outstanding momentum, currently unbeaten over their last 15 matches, achieving 12 wins throughout this streak. The Catalan giants have stuffed the back of the net with 52 goals, averaging 3.4 per game. Their commanding 4-0 win against Sociedad last match served as proof of their lethal attacking capabilities.
Despite Barcelona being favored due to their depth and experience, Benfica will not shy away from putting up fierce resistance on their home turf. The Red and Whites are known for high pressing and will aim to stifle Barcelona's scoring opportunities. Given both teams’ potent offensive abilities, one can expect yet another fast-paced encounter with numerous goals. The expectation leads to predictions of Benfica 2-3 Barcelona.
Shifting gears, the second match features PSG squaring off against Liverpool, also at 03:00 on March 6. PSG had a rocky start this Champions League season; nonetheless, they showcased resilience by winning their last three matches, which included formidable opponents like Manchester City and Salzburg, confirming their ability to perform under pressure.
PSG recently crushed Brest with an astonishing total scoreline of 10-0, and they come to this contest undefeated over the last ten fixtures. Notably, they remain unbeaten at home over the past seven matches, including victories against tough contenders such as Lyon and Monaco. Their attacking prowess is at its peak, averaging four goals per game over the last ten matches. Star players like Ousmane Dembélé, Victor Osimhen, and others are ready to lead the charge against Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Liverpool is also enjoying stellar form, sitting comfortably atop the Premier League standings and maintaining a 13-point lead over Arsenal, albeit after playing one more match. The Reds have also reached the final of the English League Cup, solidifying their ambition for silverware this season. They topped their Champions League group, winning seven consecutive matches before dropping the last one to PSV, which proved inconsequential for their final standing.
With both sides sporting impressive scoring records—Liverpool netting 66 goals domestically and 17 Champions League goals—the matchup promises to be fiercely competitive. Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Luis Díaz are all likely to pose significant threats to the PSG defense.
Even with PSG’s home advantage, Liverpool’s reputation as tough adversaries makes predicting this match outcome challenging. Many analysts foresee the game concluding with both teams sharing the spoils, predicting PSG 2-2 Liverpool.
Here are some key betting insights for both matches:
- Benfica vs. Barcelona
Asian Handicap: Barcelona favored at -0.5 (bet on Barcelona)
Over/Under: 3.25 goals (bet on Over)
Corners: 9.5 (bet on Over) - PSG vs. Liverpool
Asian Handicap: PSG favored at -0.25 (bet on PSG)
Over/Under: 3 goals (bet on Over)
Corners: 9.5 (bet on Over)
Fans can expect both fixtures to deliver memorable moments as teams fight to advance to the next round of the prestigious Champions League. With individual talents and group synergies at play, it’s shaping up to be yet another thrilling night of football.