SL Benfica is welcoming Ajax to Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. Benfica is not a bad team, they are just severely underperforming right now. Ajax is in amazing form, their stats are unreal, and they might get far in the Champions League.
Benfica is now undefeated in their last 3 games while winning 2 of their last 3 games. In the Primeira Liga, Benfica is now in 3rd place, and they are very far from the top spot. In the group stage of the Champions League, Benfica ended in 2nd place, behind Bayern, but in from of Barcelona. Overall, Benfica is not a bad team at all, and they are the best offensive team in Portugal with 60 scored goals. But they have been struggling with consistency this season. Nunez is the leading goalscorer for Benfica in the Champions League with 3 goals, while Mario has 2 assists. Pinho, Verissimo, and Seferovic are all injured. As I’ve said, Benfica is a solid team, and they are playing at home here, which means they need to go for the win, otherwise they are doomed.
If Benfica’s 60 scored goals sounds like a lot, Ajax’s 70 scored goals in 23 games sound impossible. Now people will start thinking that all Ajax does is attack, but they have conceded only 5 goals in 23 games so far in Eredivisie, which is impressive. And I know the quality is not that good in the Netherlands, but still. In the Champions League, Ajax was also mighty impressive in the group stage with 20 scored goals, and only 5 conceded goals, and they have won their group. Surprisingly enough, the title race is still pretty close in the Eredivisie, and it might stay that way until the end. Ajax will be missing a few players for this game, but this is the team that is constantly producing young and talented players, and they are not scared to give them a chance. Haller is the leading goalscorer for Ajax in the Champions League, and he will be in the starting lineup here. Anthony has added 4 assists. Ajax is filled with young and talented players, but they also have a few experienced players who keep them in line, and it works great for them. If you never watched soccer, I suggest the first team to watch is Ajax, and you will fall in love with this game.
With Benfica being the home team here, they might get on the scoreboard, but Ajax will too. Ajax is scoring goals for fun, they are well-coached, and they are a great team. I see goals in this one, but I will also take a goalscorer prop here.