Benfica vs. Bayern Munich: UEFA Champions League probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

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Bayern prepared for their trip to Portugal in devastating fashion as they dispatched Bayer Leverkusen 5-1 at the BayArena on Sunday. With Leverkusen looking like viable title contenders, it was a real statement of intent from the champions as Robert Lewandowski and Serge Gnabry both struck twice. Thomas Müller was also on the scoresheet as four goals in seven minutes rocked Die Werkself. Crucially, the convincing win allowed Julian Nagelsmann to rest the likes of Leon Goretzka, Lewandowski, Müller and Niklas Süle with the game wrapped up by half-time. Alphonso Davies also made way before the break in what looked like a precautionary measure from Nagelsmann, rather than any serious issue that would threaten the Canadian's involvement in midweek. Benjamin Pavard, suspended at the weekend, is back in contention and should return at right-back, with Süle moving inside to partner Dayot Upamecano at the expense of Lucas Hernandez.

Benfica have started the campaign in fine form, winning each of their first seven matches in the Portuguese top-flight, and beating Spanish giants Barcelona last time out in Group E. However, defeat at home to Portimonense in their most recent league outing was followed by a fairly laboured extra-time win over second division Trofense in the third round of the Portuguese cup on Saturday. Former Borussia Dortmund midfielder Julian Weigl should start in central midfield, while ex-VfB Stuttgart goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos will don the gloves for the hosts and one-time Hertha Berlin man Nemanja Radonjic will be hoping to feature in some capacity. Valentino Lazaro (Hertha, Borussia Mönchengladbach) and Haris Seferovic (Eintracht Frankfurt) are two more familiar faces in the Benfica ranks but both are struggling with injuries and are unlikely to make the squad.

Match stats

Lewandowski has scored four goals in two Champions League games in 2021/22. Only Ajax's former Eintracht Frankfurt striker Sebastien Haller has hit more (five).

Nagelsmann's side are the joint-top scorers after two rounds of fixtures, like Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool, on eight goals.

Manuel Neuer is yet to concede in this season's competition. The Bayern captain is fifth in the all-time clean sheets table (49), 10 behind the record-setting Iker Casillas.

Bayern are unbeaten in 10 UEFA matches against Benfica, winning three and drawing one of the last four.

The record champions have not lost away in the Champions League in a tournament record 19 matches, dating back to a 3-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the 2017/18 groups (W15, D4).

Benfica lost 2-1 at home to RB Leipzig in the 2019/20 group stage. Their overall record against Bundesliga opposition reads: W14, D15, L21.

Probable line-ups

Benfica: Vlachodimos - Verissimo, Otamendi, Vertonghen (c) - Gilberto, Weigl, Mario, Grimaldo - Silva, Yeremchuck, Nunez

Out: -

Doubtful: Lazaro (muscular), Seferovic (muscular)

Coach: Jorge Jesus

Bayern: Neuer (c) - Pavard, Upamecano, Süle, Davies - Kimmich, Goretzka - Gnabry, Müller, Sane - Lewandowski

Out: Ulreich (knee)

Doubtful: -

Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

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