The 2022-23 UEFA Champions League Quarterfinal kicks off Tuesday, April 11, so we bring you the best Benfica vs. Inter betting pick and odds, as the Eagles host the Black and Blues for the first leg at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal.
Benfica – Inter Betting Tip, Prediction & Odds (11.4.2023)
Both Benfica and Inter are huge underdogs to go all the way. According to bet365 Sportsbook, either side sits at 15.00 odds to win the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League. Benfica won their last title in 1962, while Inter are looking for their first Champions League trophy since 2010.
Benfica vs. Inter: Initial Situation
After finishing top of Group G with 14 points (W4, D2) and a 16:7 goal difference, Benfica trounced Club Brugge 7-1 on aggregate in the Round of 16. On the other side, Inter was second in Group C with ten points (W3, D1, L2) and a 10:7 goal difference. The Black and Blues eliminated Porto 1-0 on aggregate in the previous round.
Benfica Stats & Form
The Eagles put an end to their eight-game winning streak last Friday, suffering a 2-1 home defeat to Porto in Liga Portugal. During that winning run, the Eagles have recorded six victories in their domestic league to go with a couple of comfortable victories over Club Brugge in the Champions League Round of 16, 2-0 and 5-1. In their previous six outings at home, the Eagles have registered five wins, a loss, and a 19:5 goal difference.
The 21-year-old striker Goncalo Ramos leads the way for Benfica with 25 goals and ten assists in all competitions this season. The 30-year-old playmaker Joao Mario has accounted for 23 goals and 12 assists, while the 26-year-old winger David Neres has 12 goals and 12 assists on his season tally. The 27-year-old left-back Alejandro Grimaldo is the team’s best assist-maker with 13 dishes in 2022-23.
Inter Stats & Form
The Black and Blues have struggled mightily over the last few weeks. They are winless in six consecutive matches in all competitions, tallying three draws, three losses, and a 3:6 goal difference in the process. Inter are also winless in six straight showings on the road, recording four stalemates in that stretch, including a nil-nil draw against Porto in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16.
The 25-year-old striker Lautaro Martinez is Inter’s top scorer with 17 goals in 2022-23. He’s also accounted for seven dishes across 41 appearances. The 37-year-old striker Edin Dzeko has bagged 11 goals so far this season, while the 26-year-old midfielder Nicolo Barela has six goals and eight assists on his account. The Black and Blues are without midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu (three goals and six assists), who’s recovering from a groin injury.
Benfica – Inter: Head-to-Head
Benfica and Inter haven’t met since 2004 when they played each other in the UEFA Cup Round of 16. After a goalless draw at Estadio da Luz, Inter beat Benfica 4-3 in the second leg at home.
Benfica – Inter Odds
The Eagles are listed as slight home favorites to grab a win, and you can take them at 2.20 with bet365. Unibet Sportsbook offers the best odds on a draw, 3.45, and the visitors to come out on top, 3.75. The bookmakers are not expecting to see a high-scoring affair, and Under 2.5 Goals pays 1.72 at Unibet.
I’m expecting both teams to take a cautious approach in the first leg. There will be 90 minutes more to play in the second leg in Italy, so I’m expecting Inter to defend in numbers, trying to avoid a loss in the first leg and get themselves in a strong spot ahead of the second leg in front of the home audience. Hereof, my best Benfica vs. Inter betting pick would be Under 2.5 Goals. Inter have played in a poor run of form lately, but the Italian Serie A is arguably a tougher championship than Liga Portugal.
Betting tip and prediction: Benfica – Inter (11.4.2023)