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Preview: Barcelona vs. Benfica

Preview: Barcelona vs. Benfica
© PA Photos
Sports Mole previews the Iberian Champions League group clash between Barcelona and Benfica.

For Benfica to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League, they simply have to match the result that Celtic achieve at home to Spartak Moscow on Wednesday night.

However, what complicates the matter for the Portuguese club is the fact that their final group encounter is against Barcelona in the Nou Camp.

History is not on their side either, having not won against Spanish opposition for 30 years - a run that goes back 13 matches.

In contrast, hosting Barca are unbeaten in 18 home outings since a 2-1 defeat to Russian club Rubin Kazan in October 2009.

As Barcelona have already qualified for the knockout stages as group winners, coach Tito Vilanova may rest a number of his key players. Lionel Messi may still start though as he goes in search of a world record for goals in one year.

Meanwhile, Benfica have Luisao back from suspension, while Rodrigo is expected to start alongside Oscar Cardozo.

Interestingly, whenever these two clubs have met, the winners have gone on to lift the European Cup.

Recent form

Barcelona: WWWWW

Benfica: WWWWW

Possible starting lineups:

Barcelona: Pinto; Montoya, Barta, Song, Alba; Mascherano, Thiago, Fabregas; Messi, Villa, Pedro

Benfica: Artur Moraes; Luisao, Garay, Pereira, Martins; Matic, Salvio, Melgarejo, Gaitan; Rodrigo, Cardozo

Sports Mole says: 2-1


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Liam Apicella
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Atletico MadridAtletico18125133122141
2Real Madrid18124241182340
3Barcelona19122551222938
4Athletic Bilbao19106329171236
5Villarreal188643430430
6Mallorca199371921-230
7Real Sociedad187471613325
8GironaGirona187472625125
9Real BetisBetis186752122-125
10Osasuna186752327-425
11Celta Vigo187382728-124
12Rayo Vallecano185762021-122
13Las PalmasLas Palmas186482327-422
14Sevilla186482027-722
15Leganes184681728-1118
16AlavesAlaves184592130-917
17Getafe183781115-416
18Espanyol1843111630-1415
19Valencia172691626-1012
20Real ValladolidValladolid1833121237-2512


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