Inter vs Benfica Champions League predictions: Tips, odds and team news
Inter and Benfica go head-to-head in a repeat of last season’s Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday at 8pm (UK time).
Inter vs Benfica odds
Inter welcome Benfica to the San Siro looking to get one over on the Portuguese side once again after knocking them out of the Champions League quarter-finals last season. After taking a 2-0 lead back home from the first-leg, both sides played out an enthralling 3-3 draw, as Benfica refused to give up, but it was too little too late as Inter progressed 5-3 on aggregate.
The Nerazzurri are the only side in Europe’s top five leagues with a 100% record in the league so far this season, after Lautaro Martínez made Serie A history against Salernitana at the weekend to extend their winning run to seven matches. The Argentine forward made it 10 goals across all competitions, as he became the first player during the three-points-for-a-win era to score four goals as a substitute in a Italian top-flight match.
However, after keeping a 100% record in the league, Inter’s task of getting to back-to-back Champions League finals began with a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad. The Italian giants found themselves 1-0 down after just four minutes, but rescued a later point thanks to an 87th minute strike from in-form Lautaro Martinez, who as already mentioned has 10 goals across all competitions this season.
Benfica, meanwhile, opened their 2023/24 Champions League campaign with a home 0-2 defeat to Salzburg after defender Antonio Silva became the youngest ever Portuguese player to be sent off in the competition, when he received his marching orders after just 13 minutes. It was Benfica’s first Champions League group stage defeat since losing 5-2 to Bayern Munich in November 2021, having gone the previous eight group games unbeaten (W5 D3).
The Portuguese side are looking to avoid defeats in both of their opening two games of a Champions League group stage for a fifth time, previously doing so in 2007/08, 2014/15, 2017/18, and 2019/20 – going on to be eliminated each time.
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Inter vs Benfica predictions
Inter vs Benfica: Predictions |
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| Bet | Prediction | Best odds |
| BTTS? | Yes | 4/5 with Betfred |
| Correct Score | Inter 2-1 Benfica | 15/2 with BetGoodwin |
| First Goalscorer | Lautaro Martinez | 9/2 with Boylesports |
Odds correct at the time of writing. 18+ Only. Terms and Conditions Apply.
The stats behind our Inter vs Benfica predictions:
- Inter are the only side with a 100% record in Europe’s top five leagues this season
- Lautaro Martinez has scored 10 goals in eight games across all competitions this season
- Inter are unbeaten in their last four matches against Benfica (W2, D2)
- Only Adriano (14) and Julio Cruz (13) have scored more UCL goals for Inter than Lautaro Martinez (11)
- Federico Dimarco has three assists in six Serie A matches this campaign
- There have been 13 goals scored in Inter’s two previous home games against Benfica
Inter vs Benfica match tip
Federico Dimarco to provide an assist @ 2/1 with Sky Bet
Only Kevin De Bruyne (6) assisted more goals than Federico Dimarco (5) in the Champions League last season, with his five assists being the most by an Inter player in a single season of the competition since Samuel Eto’o in 2010-11 (5). The Italian has also started the domestic season on fire, providing three assists in his opening six Serie A matches.
Inter vs Benfica Bet-Builder tip
Inter to win > Over 2.5 Goals > Lautaro Martinez to score anytime
Inter have been unstoppable in the league so far this season, winning each of their opening seven matches and scoring goals aplenty, including 13 in their last three home matches. Lautaro Martinez has scored 10 goals in his opening eight matches across all competitions this season, including Inter’s only goal of the game in their 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad in match day one and four as a sub against Salernitana at the weekend.
There have been 13 goals scored in Inter’s two previous home games against Benfica, winning 4-3 in March 2004 before a 3-3 draw in March this year.
Inter vs Benfica team news
Inter team news |
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| In | Out | Doubtful |
| – | Marko Arnautovic, Stefano Sensi, Davide Frattesi | Juan Cuadrado |
Marko Arnautovic, Stefano Sensi and Davide Frattesi all miss out for Simone Inzaghi’s side, with the latter expected to return at the weekend against Bologna. Juan Cuadrado has returned to the squad, but will have to be assessed, so may have to make do with a place on the bench.
Benfica team news |
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| In | Out | Doubtful |
| – | Antonio Silva | Angel Di Maria, Petar Musa |
The Portuguese side are sweating on the fitness of both Angel Di Maria and Petar Musa for the trip to the San Siro, but both players look to be winning their battles. Antonio Silva will miss the match through suspension after being sent off against Salzburg.
Inter vs Benfica head-to-head record
- 19 Apr 2023 – Inter 3-3 Benfica – Champions League
- 11 Apr 2023 – Benfica 0-2 Inter – Champions League
- 25 Mar 2004 – Inter 4-3 Benfica – Europa League
- 11 Mar 2004 – Benfica 0-0 Inter – Europa League
Inter beat Benfica 5-3 on aggregate in the Champions League quarter-finals last season on their way to reaching the final.
