Illustration of a Champions League betting preview for Real Madrid vs. Benfica, featuring a soccer ball, goal net, and jerseys.Credit: THE SUN

REAL MADRID and Benfica clash in Wednesday’s blockbuster Champions League knockout showdown as Jose Mourinho returns to the Bernabeu looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit.

Real Madrid vs Benfica preview

A cauldron awaits at the Bernabeu as Real Madrid and Benfica meet again, a week on from their controversial first-leg play-off in Portugal.

The Spanish giants left the Estadio da Luz with a narrow 1-0 lead thanks to Vinicius Junior’s 50th-minute strike.

However, the night was overshadowed by allegations that Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni racially abused the goalscorer. He will miss the second leg pending the outcome of a full investigation.

On the pitch, Real Madrid will back themselves to finish the job.

The 15-time European champions have progressed from 22 of their last 23 knockout ties after winning the first leg.

Benfica, meanwhile, have advanced from just one of their previous eight major European knockout ties after losing the first leg at home.

Alvaro Arbeloa’s side will need to respond after a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Osasuna at the weekend, a result that saw them surrender top spot in La Liga to Barcelona.

But a return to the Bernabeu could help. Real have won their last six home games there, scoring 21 goals in the process.

As for Benfica, Jose Mourinho’s team face a tough task. The Portuguese coach is without a win in his last nine Champions League knockout matches – the longest such run by any manager in the competition’s history.

Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.

Double

We’re kicking things off with a player double – Vinicius Junior to score and be booked at 5/1 with Betfair.

The 25-year-old will be keen to make the headlines for the right reasons, and he’s certainly capable of finding the net. Vinicius has scored six goals in his last seven appearances, including a stunning strike in the first leg.

He’s also never far from a card, having picked up nine yellows this season – three of them coming in his last four starts.

  • Vinicius Junior to score and be booked at 5/1 with Betfair – CLAIM HERE

First goalscorer and correct score predictions

Real Madrid vs Benfica

  • First goalscorer: Kylian Mbappe at 23/10 with Midnite – CLAIM HERE
  • Correct score: 2-0 at 15/2 with Betfred – CLAIM HERE

Goal and assist

We’re also backing a Betfair price boost – Kylian Mbappe to score, assisted by Arda Guler, at 4/1.

Mbappe scoring doesn’t need much explaining. The 27-year-old has found the net nine times in his last eight starts, including three braces in that run. The competition’s top scorer has 13 goals already and will be keen to add to that tally.

There’s every chance Guler supplies the assist. The 20-year-old has four assists in this season’s competition and 12 in all competitions overall – including one for Mbappe against Benfica in the league phase.

  • Kylian Mbappe to score, assisted by Arda Guler at 4/1 with Betfair – CLAIM HERE

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Eze Chidiebere Paul

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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