Preview: Benfica Women vs. Barcelona Women - prediction, team news, lineups

The Portuguese side, meanwhile, are currently three points adrift of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and they will be looking to keep their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals alive.

Match preview

Benfica began the group stage with a demoralising 9-0 defeat to Barcelona, before they were beaten 3-2 by Bayern Munich despite establishing a two-goal lead.

Since losing to Bayern, Benfica have embarked on a run of eight consecutive victories in all competitions, including two wins in the Champions League against Rosengard.

They claimed a narrow win in their home meeting with the Swedish side, before they came from behind to beat them 3-1 last week, thanks to a Cloe Lacasse brace and a Nycole Raysla strike.

Benfica followed that result with a commanding 5-0 league win over Valadares Gaia at the weekend, but they will now focus on an important European match on Thursday.

Although they face a tough test against the winners of the 2020-21 Champions League, they will be eliminated if they lose and Bayern pick up a point against Rosengard or they draw and the German side claims all three points.

Meanwhile, Barcelona began the season with 19 competitive victories in all competitions, including three wins in the Champions League.

Despite beating Bayern 3-0 at Camp Nou, Barcelona's winning run was brought to an end by the German side last week.

Klara Buhl, Lina Magull and Lea Schuller helped Bayern move into a three-goal lead, and although Geyse pulled a goal back, Barcelona could not avert a 3-1 defeat.

Jonatan Giraldez's side returned to winning ways at the weekend, as they cruised to a 4-0 league win over Alhama thanks to goals from Claudia Pina, Salma Paralluelo, Bruna Vilamala and Asisat Oshoala.

The Catalan giants know that a point on Thursday would be enough to secure a place in the quarter-finals, and they would be confirmed as group winners if they win and Bayern lose to Rosengard.

Benfica Women Women's Champions League form:

Benfica Women (all competitions) form:

Barcelona Women Women's Champions League form:

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Barcelona Women form (all competitions):

Team News

Filipa Patao could be tempted to select the same lineup that beat Rosengaard 3-1 last week, which would ensure Kika Nazareth retains her place in the starting XI.

Ana Seica will continue her central defensive partnership with Carole Costa, and the pair could have their work cut out against a free-scoring Barcelona side.

Including qualifying, Lacasse has scored six goals in the Champions League this season, and she will be looking to add to that tally on Thursday.

As for the visitors, they are still unable to call upon the services of Alexia Putellas and Caroline Graham Hansen due to injury issues.

Giraldez made wholesale changes to his side for the league victory over Alhama, but the likes of Mapi Leon, Fridolina Rolfo, Aitana Bonmati and Keira Walsh will return to the starting lineup.

Geyse will be aiming to continue her impressive European form after scoring four goals in as many Champions League games, including a brace in the reverse fixture against Benfica.

Benfica Women possible starting lineup:

R. Costa; Valeria, Seica, C.Costa, Amado; Pauleta, Ucheibe; Vitoria, Nazareth, Lacasse; Raysla

Barcelona Women possible starting lineup:

Panos; Bronze, Paredes, Mapi Leon, Rolfo; Bonmati, Walsh, Guijarro; Crnogorcevic, Caldentey; Geyse

We say: Benfica Women 0-3 Barcelona Women

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