The prediction for Benfica vs. Bayern Munich leans heavily towards the Bavarians in this upcoming match. This fixture is the third and final game in Group C of the Club World Cup, a group that also includes Boca Juniors and Auckland City.
Match Analysis
Bayern Munich has already secured qualification for the knockout stages with a game to spare. Vincent Kompany`s side requires just a single point from this match to guarantee finishing in first place, which would allow them to avoid unnecessary travel and remain in Charlotte for their next fixture.
Bayern is currently facing some defensive challenges due to injuries to key players such as Davies, Kim, and Dier. The availability of Musiala is also being evaluated. The last time the German champions were defeated was in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Inter, losing 1-2 at the Allianz Arena on April 8th. Since that match, Bayern has remained strong, recording 6 wins and 3 draws, and keeping five clean sheets in the process.
Benfica, on the other hand, needs just a draw to advance to the knockout stages themselves. Qualification with a draw would likely mean facing Flamengo in Miami Gardens. However, if they manage to beat Bayern, they would secure first place in the group and earn the chance to stay in Charlotte. Benfica could still potentially qualify even with a loss, but this scenario would depend on goal difference compared to Boca Juniors, should the Argentinian side defeat Auckland.
Benfica will be without Andrea Belotti, who is serving the second match of a suspension received in their opening fixture. Bruno Lage`s team has struggled for wins recently, securing only one victory in their last five outings. Despite this, their attack has been prolific, finding the net in 17 consecutive matches. Their last game without scoring was a 0-1 loss to Barcelona in the Champions League on March 5th.
Head-to-Head Record
This match marks the 14th encounter between these two historic clubs. Benfica has never managed to defeat Bayern Munich in their previous meetings. The historical record shows 3 draws and 10 victories for Bayern. The last five matches have all resulted in wins for the Bavarians, including significant victories with large goal margins on three occasions (5-1 in 2018, 4-0 and 5-2 in 2021). The most recent draw between the teams was in April 2016, a 2-2 result in the return leg of a Champions League quarter-final, which saw Bayern qualify after winning the first leg 1-0. The very latest fixture between them was on November 6th, a 1-0 win for Bayern at the Allianz Arena, decided by a goal from Jamal Musiala.
Potential Goalscorer
Michael Olise is expected to be one of the most impactful players in the Benfica vs. Bayern Munich clash. The French forward is currently the leading goalscorer in the tournament with 3 goals, scoring a brace in the opening game against Auckland City and netting the decisive goal in the recent match against Boca Juniors. His strong form extends beyond the tournament; Olise finished the Bundesliga season exceptionally well, contributing 4 goals and 4 assists in his final 4 appearances. Including his international appearances for France, he has scored an impressive 8 goals in his last 8 games across all competitions this season. These statistics make him a strong candidate to find the back of the net against Benfica.
Where to Watch
To ensure you can follow our Benfica vs. Bayern Munich prediction live, it`s important to know the broadcast details. The match is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 24th at 9 PM local time at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The game will be broadcast live on DAZN and Italia 1 in Italy, and will also be available for streaming on Infinity.
