Club Brugge vs Benfica Expert Prediction and Picks | UEFA Champions League Feb 15

Club Brugge vs Benfica Betting Preview

This Club Brugge vs Benfica match will be the first of two legs in their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 bout. Sportsmemo soccer handicapper Nick Borrman breaks down this Club Brugge vs Benfica match before start time at 3:00pm ET from Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruges, Belgium.

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Club Brugge vs Benfica Betting Odds

Wednesday, February 15	UEFA Champions League Betting Notes
Club Brugge:	+335
Benfica:	-120
Draw:	+270
Total:	2.5 Goals (Odds Above Courtesy of DraftKings)
Game Time:	3:00pm ET / 12:00pm PT

Club Brugge vs Benfica Betting Analysis

I’ll admit that the Belgium Jupiler League and thus, Club Brugge, is not a league, nor team, that I follow with any regularity. That being said, in my opinion, their season has already been made by even qualifying for this knockout round.

By the odds, they were expected to finish dead last in their group which including Leverkusen, Atletico Madrid and Porto, but surprised everyone by winning their first three matches before hanging on with two draws and one blowout loss in their last three to finish 2nd to Porto.

Club Brugge Buckling Since World Cup

Current form is very troubling for Brugge as well. Since the WC break, they have just one single win in nine matches in all competitions, although I suppose they aren’t losing either with six draws, but it is very indicative of a club that doesn’t belong in the Champions League knockout rounds.

On the season, they are having a very mediocre year by their standards as they sit 4th in the table and a whopping 20 points behind Genk in the Jupiler League.

Their +13 goal differential is also telling compared to Genk at +37. Again, not what you would expect from a Champions League quality side.

Benfica Brings The Heat

Compare that to Benfica who have just two losses in 36 total matches in all competitions this season, both of them coming against Braga who just seem to have their number.

Those 34 unbeaten matches include all six UCL group stage matches which included PSG and Juventus in their group that they won.

It also includes a win over a very good Porto team and dominating UCL qualifying wins over Midtjylland and Dynamo Kyiv, teams I would rank similarly to Brugge.

Benfica sit atop Liga Portugal (a league ranked much higher than the Jupiler League) with a very strong +39 goal differential and +38.5 xG differential. They also have a lot more European experience in either the Champions League or Europa League.

Club Brugge vs Benfica Expert Prediction

Experience, form, and numbers all point to Benfica here and there is little argument that they are the better side. I like the price for them to travel to Belgium and grab a win in Leg 1 and put one foot into the quarterfinal.

Prediction: Benfica -110

Soccer Betting Tips

New to betting on soccer? Not familiar with all the wagering options, such as three-way betting and the Asian handicap? What stats should a novice soccer bettor focus on? What are some basic soccer betting tips and strategies? Carmine Bianco and Nick Borrman joined Kelly Stewart to share some tips to novice soccer bettors.

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First time at WagerTalk? Get your first daily picks package for ONLY $1 using coupon code NEWS1 when checking out! Click here to select your picks and then apply the best bargain of 2023 with coupon code NEWS1. 

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About The Author

Nick Borrman fell in love with professional ‘football’ (as anyone outside of the United States would refer to it) the first time he attended an MLS game seven years ago. Now, he uses statistical analysis as well as current trends to successfully find value on soccer matches across the globe. Borrman focuses much of his attention on the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga and Serie A, as well as the most prestigious tournament of them all, the Champions League. Of course, you can’t forget the fast-growing MLS which finishes the year-round soccer schedule through the summer months in North America. Borrman derives many of his plays from his model forecasts and releases plays several days ahead of time to consistently beat line moves.

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