Club World Cup: Benfica vs. Bayern Munich – Preview, lineups, our tips

While Bayern Munich has already clinched a spot in the Club World Cup knockout stage, there’s still everything to play for between the German champions and Portugal’s Benfica — namely, a vital first-place escape from groups.

Here’s the Sporting Base’s guide and insights for this all-important Group C match-up.

How to watch

• When: Wednesday, 5am (AEST)
• Where: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte
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Expected lineups

• Benfica (4-5-1): Trubin, Aursnes, Silva, Otamendi, Carreras, Di María, Sanches, Prestianni, Barreiro, Aktürköglu, Pavlidis
• Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Neuer, Laimer, Tah, Upamecano, Guerreiro, Kimmich, Goretzka, Olise, Müller, Coman, Kane

Benfica vs. Bayern Munich prediction

We won’t beat around the bush on this one – it’s long odds that Benfica is going to get past Bayern Munich, with the Lisbon club likely hoping to mitigate damage (and therefore stay ahead of Boca Juniors in the standings) rather than any expectations in the ranks that they’d be able to beat Vincent Kompany’s powerhouse.

If that sounds a little defeatist or unfair, let’s simply take a look at the record, shall we: Benfica hasn’t won against Bayern Munich in thirteen (13) attempts, including a 1–0 loss away in Munich in Europe’s last season.

The biggest hope for Bruno Lage’s side would be that their second halves have been damaging at the Club World Cup so far, and if they can keep things in the balance up to half-time, they might be able to ambush Kompany’s outfit in the second stanza. The chance that it’s 0–0 after 45-plus minutes is low, though, all things considered.

Pay special attention to Michael Olise — who we’ve tipped as one of the goalscorers in this match — and how he controls the tempo. With Benfica missing Florentino Luís in the midfield (shoulder), he may have free rein.

Basically, all eyes on how Auckland City do against Boca Juniors as Benfica try to keep things painless.

• Our prediction: Benfica 0–4 Bayern Munich
• Goalscorer tip: Michael Olise
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