How to watch Barcelona vs Benfica online & on TV, head to head and predictions

Prediction: 1-0
Tip: Result - Barcelona/Both Teams To Score - No

Key Points:

1. Barcelona are unbeaten in four games since sacking Ronald Koeman.
2. Four of Barcelona's last seven games have ended with a 1-0 scoreline.
3. Benfica will be low on confidence after being hammered 4-0 and 5-2 by Bayern.

With Bayern Munich already through to the next round, this match is about determining who will take the second spot in Group E and join them.

New Barcelona boss Xavi got his reign off to a good start by winning his long-awaited debut 1-0 against local rivals Espanyol in La Liga at the weekend. It was a second 1-0 scoreline in four games since Ronald Koeman's departure and a fourth in their last seven in all competitions. Despite being seemingly well equipped at the top of the pitch, the Catalans have scored one goal or fewer in eight of their past ten matches. They are finding it difficult to score goals consistently.

Jorge Jesus' Benfica side have less trouble getting on the scoresheet, having scored sixteen in their last five, albeit against weaker opposition defences in the Primeira Liga. To give them credit they also scored two against Bayern in last Champions League game and put three past Barca back in September. They have proven capable of scoring against anyone.

Nonetheless we don't expect to see a repeat of that 3-0 scoreline in this contest. The hosts are looking much better organised since the change in management, with an improvement first seen under interim coach Sergi Barjuan, and now likely to be built upon by new boss Xavi.

The Barcelona legend watched his side produce a professional 1-0 win during his first game in charge, and we envisage more of the same tonight. We don't see the Barca front line clicking into gear and reaching its full potential just yet, but we expect the side to be motivated and balanced across the pitch, to keep plenty of possession and to face very few opposition chances.

For new boss Xavi it will be important to keep a clean sheet and we expect his players to deliver that. Barca may manage to muster more than one goal themselves but we predict only the one goal in this game, as has so often been the case for the misfiring giants this season.