Salzburg vs Benfica

A third-place finish in the Champions League Group D is at stake as Salzburg and Benfica lock horns in a pivotal clash at the Red Bull Arena.

Despite pulling off just one win in their five Group D outings (D1, L3), Salzburg’s bid to feature in springtime European fixtures for the seventh season on the trot is more than realistic. If the perennial Austrian champions can avoid defeat here, they’d switch to the Europa League knockout playoff round. Gerhard Struber’s side, seeking a positive omen amidst a dreadful European campaign, can turn to their 2-0 win in the reverse fixture in Lisbon, which remains their only success in this season’s Champions League. However, Salzburg can’t take anything for granted, considering their patchy seven-game form at the Red Bull Arena (W3, L4) threatens to undermine their effort to protect their narrowly positive all-time record against Portuguese sides (W3, D1, L1).

Meanwhile, Benfica must beat Salzburg by a two-goal margin or better to overtake their hosts in the Group D standings and secure a promotion to the Europa League knockout playoffs. That’s easier said than done, given the visitors’ tepid three-game winless run in all competitions (D3), bookended by a dreadful 1-1 home draw against Farense at the weekend. Despite racking up an insane 4.06 xG, the ‘Eagles’ failed to score more than once for the second game in a row, casting doubt on their hopes of turning the tables on Salzburg. As the pressure cranks up on manager Roger Schmidt, the reigning Liga Portugal holders take this trip keen to arrest a two-match winless run on the road (D1, L1) and avoid only their second winless Champions League group stage campaign in the 21st century.