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Played
December 5, 2012 7:45 p.m. GMT
Camp Nou — Barcelona
Referee: S. Moen
Attendance: 50659
December 5, 2012 7:45 p.m. GMT
Camp Nou — Barcelona
Referee: S. Moen
Attendance: 50659
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| Barcelona | 1.57 | 3.75 | 1.57 | 0.00 | 9.50 | 1.55 | 9.00 | 3.70 | 1.55 |
| Draw | 4.00 | 1.40 | 4.20 | 0.00 | 1.25 | 4.20 | 1.15 | 1.40 | 4.22 |
| Benfica | 5.50 | 8.50 | 5.50 | 0.00 | 6.00 | 5.75 | 9.00 | 8.08 | 5.49 |
Barcelona - Benfica Preview: Eagles may need to end 30-year drought against Spanish opposition to qualify
The Lisbon side last won across the border in 1982 and may well need a repeat of that success on Wednesday if they are to ensure their place in the last 16
By Tom Webber
Getty Images
| PROBABLE LINEUPS |
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BARCELONA
 Valdes Montoya, Pique, Puyol, Alba Fabregas, Busquets, Iniesta Pedro, Messi, Villa |
BENFICA
 Artur M. Pereira, Luisao, Garay, Melgarejo Salvio, Matic, Gaitan, Perez Lima, Cardozo |
Benfica will need to at least equal Celtic's result against Spartak Moscow if they are to qualify from Champions League Group G alongside Barcelona, who have already been confirmed as group winners.
Yet Barcelona are expected to name a strong line-up, with Lionel Messi still expected to feature as he chases down Gerd Muller's record of 85 goals in a calendar year.
Martin Montoya may start at right-back as Dani Alves remains sidelined through injury, while Xavi is likely to be given a rest so Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta will line up in midfield. This will enable David Villa to move into the starting line-up, attacking from the left with Pedro from the right.
Knowing they may well need to pick up their first win against Spanish opposition in 30 years, Benfica will name their strongest possible XI. Oscar Cardozo will lead the line alongside Lima and Nicolas Gaitan will play at the tip of a diamond midfield between the duo.
Luisao will make just his second appearance in this season's competition following his two-month suspension for pushing over a referee in pre-season.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
- The Eagles have won none of their previous 13 fixtures against Spanish opposition, not picking up a win since victory against Real Betis in the 1982 Uefa Cup.
- Ezequiel Garay (pictured, right) featured for Real Madrid as los Blancos defeated the Catalan side in the 2011 Copa del Rey final.
- After beating the Blaugrana in the 1961 final, Benfica retained their trophy the following with a 5-3 triumph over Real Madrid.
- Barcelona have emerged victorious in their previous 10 encounters at home versus Portuguese opponents.
- Lionel Messi's double on matchday 5 saw him equal Ruud Van Nistelrooy's 56 Champions League goals. Only Raul now lies above the Argentine with 71 strikes in the competition.
- Victor Valdes, Javier Mascherano and Messi are the only players to have featured for their side for every minute in Europe this season.
- Barcelona secured their place in the 1992 final with a 2-1 win over a Benfica side coached by Sven-Goran Eriksson.
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Field Report
Reader's Predictions
Top 3 Predictions
-
FC Barcelona 3-0 Benfica
- 20.18 %
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FC Barcelona 3-1 Benfica
- 14.32 %
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FC Barcelona 4-0 Benfica
- 10.04 %
| UEFA Champions League (UCL) | 5 Dec 2012 | FC Barcelona 0 - Benfica 0 |
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| UEFA Champions League (UCL) | 2 Oct 2012 | Benfica 0 - FC Barcelona 2 |
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FC Barcelona
    |
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| 19 May 2013 | FC Barcelona 2 - Valladolid 1 | LIGA |
| 12 May 2013 | Atletico Madrid 1 - FC Barcelona 2 | LIGA |
| 5 May 2013 | FC Barcelona 4 - Betis 2 | LIGA |
| 1 May 2013 | FC Barcelona 0 - FC Bayern München 3 | UCL |
| 27 Apr 2013 | Athletic de Bilbao 2 - FC Barcelona 2 | LIGA |
Benfica
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| 19 May 2013 | Benfica 3 - Moreirense FC 1 | POR1 |
| 15 May 2013 | Benfica 1 - Chelsea FC 2 | EL |
| 11 May 2013 | Porto 2 - Benfica 1 | POR1 |
| 6 May 2013 | Benfica 1 - G D Estoril Praia 1 | POR1 |
| 2 May 2013 | Benfica 3 - Fenerbahçe 1 | EL |
| Returns: | Barcelona £95.00 |
|
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| Returns: | Draw £42.00 |
|
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets | |
| Returns: | Benfica £85.00 |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
| 13 | José Pinto Colorado | Goalkeeper |
| 5 | Carles Puyol | Defender |
| 35 | Montoya | Defender |
| 21 | Adriano | Defender |
| - | Planas | Defender |
| 11 | Thiago Alcántara | Midfielder |
| 25 | Alex Song | Midfielder |
| 30 | Sergi Roberto | Midfielder |
| 34 | Rafinha | Midfielder |
| 7 | David Villa | Striker |
| 37 | Tello | Striker |
| 1 | Víctor Valdés | Goalkeeper |
| 3 | Piqué | Defender |
| 12 | Sergio Gómez | Defender |
| 34 | Jonathan Dos Santos | Midfielder |
| 16 | Busquets | Midfielder |
| 27 | Gerard | Midfielder |
| 10 | Lionel Messi | Striker |
| 1 | Artur | Goalkeeper |
| 4 | Luisao | Defender |
| 14 | Maximiliano Pereira | Defender |
| 24 | Ezequiel Garay | Defender |
| - | L. Melgarejo | Striker |
| 27 | Nolito | Midfielder |
| 21 | Nemanja Matić | Midfielder |
| - | André Gomes | Midfielder |
| 18 | Lima | Striker |
| 24 | Ola John | Striker |
| 19 | Rodrigo | Striker |
| - | Paulo Lopes | Goalkeeper |
| - | Luisinho | Midfielder |
| 33 | Jardel Nivaldo Vieira | Defender |
| - | Bruno César | Midfielder |
| 20 | Osvaldo Nicolás Fabián Gaitán | Midfielder |
| - | André Almeida | Midfielder |
| 7 | Ó. Cardozo | Striker |
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Cristiano Ronaldo Striker Real Madrid |
12 | 0 |
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Robert Lewandowski Striker Dortmund |
10 | 1 |
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Thomas Müller Striker Bayern |
8 | 1 |
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Lionel Messi Striker Barcelona |
8 | 0 |
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Burak Yılmaz Striker Galatasaray |
8 | 0 |