Cska Moscow will be hosting Benfica on Wednesday in a Champions League match whose result could most likely end Benfica stay in the European elite competition. The Russian giants are currently third in Group A but tied on six points together with Basel who occupies the second spot due to superior goal difference. CSKA Moscow could climb up to the second place with a win over Benfica if Basel fails to beat Manchester United in the other Group A match played on Wednesday.
Benfica has lost all the four Champions League matches played so far in this term thereby earning no points during that pathetic run.
The Portuguese outfits travel to the Russian capital after recording a double victory over Victoria de Guimaraes in two separate competitions. Benfica thumped Victoria de Guimares 3-1 in the domestic league before bundling the same team out in the Portuguese Cup with a 2-0 win on Saturday.
Talking Points
- CSKA Moscow went to the third spot in the Russian Premier League after beating the league newcomers, CKA Khabarovsk 4-2 on Saturday. The Militarians are currently trailing league leaders, Lokomotiv Moscow by seven points after seventeen league matches. CSKA Moscow has 29 points while Lokomotiv Moscow controls the Russian league proceedings with thirty-six points.
- The Russian giants have an opportunity of going second in the group should they overcome the visiting Portuguese club. However, CSKA Moscow will be expecting Manchester United to do them a favor by beating FC Basel so that they can leave the Swiss club behind them by three points.
- In the last four Champions League that CSKA Moscow has played so far have seen the Russian team win two matches and lose the remaining two. CSKA Moscow hasn't recorded any draw in this term of Champions League competition.
- It still baffles many soccer fans across the globe how the champions of Portugal are struggling in Champions League where they suffered defeats after defeats. Benfica has lost all the games they've played in Champions League this seasons only affording a goal while conceding a massive fourteen goals in the process.
- Benfica has failed to find the net in the last three Champions League matches. In fact, Benfica hasn't found the back of the net in all Champions League matches they've played away from home.
Team news
The hosts are receiving their visitors with no significant injury issues to report, but two players are doubtful for the contest.
Aleksei Berezutski will mostly not feature in the match due to the injury that forced him to come out before after in the Saturday's 4-2 success over SKA-Khabarovsk. Mario Fernandes is struggling to recover from a self-inflicted injury that forced him out from the weekend game and could keep him out of the team that will be welcoming Benfica.
Benfica travels to Moscow with a clean bill of health and free from suspensions. The visitors are boosted by the return of Luisao who missed the previous match due to a ban. However, Eduardo Salvio could miss the final group match should he get a booking in Russia.
Prediction
It's always tough to get wins in Russia due to the cold weather that forces all the matches to be played a little earlier than other parts of the continent.
However, CKSA Moscow has found playing in front of the home fans tough with Victor Goncharenko's men losing the two Champions League in Moscow while winning all the away contests.
Benfica could get their first maximum points in the competition given that manager, Rui Costa is going into the contest will a full-strength squad. Another factor that may see Benfica prevail in the match is the inability of CSKA Moscow to win in their backyard.
Full-time prediction: CSKA Moscow 0-2 Benfica
