Benfica have won all four home games against Celtic and recent form suggests that run will be extended.
Dodi Lukebakio is likely to start and the winger is not afraid to shoot, the value on the Belgian finding the net in Lisbon.
Key Stats
- Benfica have won 9 of their last 10 matches.
- Benfica have won to nil in 4 of their last 6 matches.
- Benfica’s Dodi Lukebakio has scored in 3 of his last 7 matches for club and country.
- Benfica have won to nil in 3 of their 4 home matches against Celtic.
- Celtic have lost 3 of their last 4 matches.
HTH
Benfica have a 4-3 advantage against Celtic with one draw, all four victories coming in Lisbon.
Benfica Back to Winning Ways
Benfica went on an eight game winning streak before the international break which included a 2-0 victory at AC Milan.
The Eagles saw the streak snapped at Porto where they were 1-0 down when Clément Lenglet was sent off. Alexander Bah equalised but it wasn’t enough to stop a 3-1 defeat against the champions.
Marco Silva’s side returned to action with a 2-0 win over Vitoria de Guimaraes. Samuel Dahl and Georgiy Sudakov got the goals in a match where they were rarely threatened, ending with 2.76-0.43 xG.
The manager was pleased with the way his side nullified the visitors: "We practically didn’t allow our opponent anything, not even a chance to get close. I remember a deflection off the near post by the forward, but the ball didn’t even get on target."
Celtic Under Pressure
Celtic won eight of their opening nine matches this season but the wheels have fallen off in recent weeks. The poor run of form began at Ibrox, a deserved 3-0 defeat at Rangers.
Martin O'Neill’s side started their Europa League campaign with a 3-1 home defeat to Ferencvaros. The slump continued in the Premiership, registering 0.39-1.75 xG in a 1-0 home defeat to Rangers.
The Scottish club got stopped the slide at Motherwell on Sunday. Camilo Durán and Benjamin Nygren scored to secure a 2-0 victory, the result never in doubt after ending with 25-8 shots and 2.85-1.05 xG.
O'Neill was pleased with the victory and praised two of his defenders: "Delighted with the performance. The team played really well. Maybe could have scored a few more goals, but we created a lot and that was desperately encouraging.
"Colby (Donovan) is having a terrific time for us - he's got a big heart and is adding other bits to his game. Dane (Murray)could be anything - he's got a good pass on him and he could develop into a really good player."
Predicted Lineups & Team News
Benfica (4-2-3-1) Anatoliy Trubin; Daniel Banjaqui, Alessandro Circati, Clément Lenglet, Souffian El Karouani; Fredrik Aursnes, Leandro Barreiro; Dodi Lukebakio, Claudio Echeverri, Andreas Schjelderup; Jhon Durán
Alexander Bah, Enzo Barrenechea and Jakub Kamiński are injured but Clément Lenglet is available after suspension
Expect Marco Silva to continue rotating in the Europa League with Anatoliy Trubin, Souffian El Karouani, Dodi Lukebakio and Jhon Durán to start.
Georgiy Sudakov scored off the bench against Guimaraes but might have to wait a little longer with Claudio Echeverri preferred in the playmaker role.
Celtic (4-2-3-1) Viljami Sinisalo; Colby Donovan, Dane Murray, Liam Scales, Kieran Tierney; Mika Baur, Callum McGregor; Camilo Durán, Benjamin Nygren, Sebastian Tounekti; Kasper Hogh
O'Neill revealed that Cameron Carter-Vickers is unlikely to feature against Benfica "He might not be fit for Thursday. I think he's got a strain and he's missing this one. Physios and the medical team have told me that Thursday might be too early."
Alistair Johnston is out with a leg injury but Jota made his long awaited return at Motherwell. Expect the manager to stick with the same starting side in Portugal.