The absolute derby of Wednesday’s Champions League games is the one between Spartak Moscow and Benfica. The game at Otkrytiye Arena in the capital of Russia generates a lot of attention, which is why we decided to make one short, but a very detailed and concise preview of the same. Spartak was the second-placed team of the Russian Premier League, which earned them a ticket to the UCL qualifiers. On the other side, Monaco ended third, following one surprising campaign in which they turned out to be one very competitive side, that played both attractive and productive.
Preview
Spartak Moscow (+210) didn’t change its roster during the offseason, adding only Quincy Promes as a notable name in a transfer from Ajax that cost the Russian side € 8.5 million. With him in the midfield, Spartak should have a bit more quickness and flamboyancy, something they didn’t quite have in the past.
After an efficient and more or less successful preparation period, Spartak lost the opening match of the Russian championship to Rubin on the road, 1-0, and then defeated Krylya Sovetov, also away from home, 0-1. After seeing all of their six games during the preseason ending with three or more goals (just one didn’t finish with over 3.5), this is a bit odd.
This team doesn’t have too much talent, and their success is a product of tactics and hard work, not flair or creativity. Ezequiel Ponce, maybe their best player, is away, and his absence will be a massive blow.
Benfica (+120) didn’t open the season very well, as they lost to Braga in the Taca de Portugal finals, 2-0, after one very violent and tense match. The Eagles did bounce back afterward, posting a win in the Primeira Liga against Vitoria on the road, 1-3.
Counting in all the friendly games, Benfica had seven contests this year, winning five of them and losing and drawing one. Only two games didn’t see both teams scoring. After a slow and inefficient start, four of the past five events the Eagles participated in concluded with over 2.5 scores.
Benfica splashed the cash this summer, bringing Roman Yaremchuk, a strong striker from Gent, who left a very good impression during the EURO 2020.
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Aleksandr Selikhov won’t play due to his fractured finger, while Pavel Maslov has other issues that aren’t disclosed, and he, too, is out for this event.
Benfica has several players ineligible for a trip to Russia. Darwin Nunez isn’t recovered from his knee surgery, while Andre Almeida and Diogo Goncalves also aren’t at his disposal.
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The last time Spartak and Benfica met was in 2011, in the UCL group stage. The match in Moscow saw the hosts winning, 2-1, while the one in Portugal ended with the Eagles fully redeeming for the loss in Russia, posting a 2-0 victory.
Prediction
With all due respect to Spartak and its quality, we believe that the guests are a better team and that they won’t lose this match. Our pick for this one is draw or Benfica, a double chance, with the odds set at -300. The profits are low, of course, but the risk is minimal. For those who are willing to take some heat, go with Benfica wins, at +115.
Pick: Draw or Benfica, -300
Here you have the previews for more matches
Nikola Velickovic is a sports journalist who loves to write and read on all sports. Nikola contributes both news updates and functions as a sports breaking news writer at WagerBop.
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Email: nikola@wagerbop.com
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