Inter vs Benfica preview & prediction

Match preview

The UEFA Champions League is back in action this week with a new slate of games, beginning on Wednesday at the San Siro when Inter Milan and Benfica square off in a pivotal quarter final meeting.

In the Serie A rankings, Inter Milan is currently in fifth place and has not played well this year. The Nerazzurri have much to prove this week after suffering a shocking 1-0 loss to Monza in their previous match.

Contrarily, Benfica, who now leads the Primeira Liga standings, has had a respectable campaign. The away team will need to win this game after losing to Chaves by a score of 1-0 over the weekend.

Inter vs Benfica Head to Head

Benfica	0 – 2	Inter Milan

Inter vs Benfica form guide

Inter Milan’s last 5 games – LWDDL

Inter Milan	0 – 1	Monza
Benfica	0 – 2	Inter Milan
Salernitana	1 – 1	Inter Milan
Juventus	1 – 1	Inter Milan
Inter Milan	0 – 1	Fiorentina

Benfica’s last 5 games – LLLWW

Chaves	1 – 0	Benfica
Benfica	0 – 2	Inter Milan
Benfica	1 – 2	FC Porto
Rio Ave	0 – 1	Benfica
Benfica	5 – 1	Guimaraes

Key stats

In four games versus Benfica throughout all competitions, Inter Milan is undefeated, and three of those games featured clean sheets.
In this season’s European competitions, Benfica had lost all six of their road games against Italian opponents before their victory over Juventus at the Allianz Stadium.
In their previous encounter at the San Siro, which took place in the round of 16 of the UEFA Cup in 2004, Inter Milan prevailed 4-3.
Benfica has only been successful in overturning a deficit once in nine matches in which they have lost the first leg of a European knockout match by at least a two-goal difference. Inter Milan has never been eliminated after winning the first leg of a European quarterfinal match by at least a two-goal advantage.

Inter vs Benfica prediction

Inter Milan has recently played it safe but will be determined to show their mettle in Europe. Romelu Lukaku, who made an impact in the first leg with a penalty, will want to continue this week.

Despite punching above their weight this season, Benfica was outplayed in the first match. Both teams are capable of striking hard when they want to, so this game could end in a stalemate.