Benfica v Real Sociedad

Benfica vs Real Sociedad Preview

This week features action from the Champions League and Matchday 3 features this upcoming clash between Portuguese hosts, Benfica, and their Spanish visitors, Real Sociedad, when the two teams lock horns at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica in this important Group D encounter on Tuesday night.

Benfica have made a slow and disappointing start to their Champions League group campaign as the hosts have already suffered two defeats which have been to Salzburg 2-0 at home in their opening game followed by a 1-0 loss in Milan against Inter Milan, which has left Benfica sitting bottom of the Group D without a point to their name.

These two recent defeats mean Benfica have now lost three out of their last four Champions League ties as the Portuguese outfit had been handed a 2-0 defeat at home by Inter Milan in last season's competition which contributed to their 5-3 defeat on aggregate at the quarter-final stage.

Benfica now face another tough fixture on Tuesday night in the shape of Real Sociedad who sit join-top of Group D with Inter Milan sitting on four points apiece.

Onto Real Sociedad then, and the Spanish visitors have made a decent fist of things so far in the group stage as they still remain unbeaten after the first two games with a decent point gained in their opening game courtesy of a 1-1 draw at home with Inter Milan but better was to come for Imanol Alguacil's side.

Matchday 2 brought Real Sociedad all three points in the form of a 2-0 win away from home at Salzburg which has subsequently helped the Spanish club to the top of the Group D table and they'll be confident that they can add to their points tally in Portugal on Tuesday night.

However, before we get too carried away with Real Sociedad's early success in this season's Champions League group stage, it should be noted that the Spanish visitors had previously struggled on the elite European stage as they had failed to win any of their preceding seven games at this level, which included no fewer than five defeats in the process.

Goals may also be in short supply here on Tuesday night as eight of Real Sociedad's last 10 Champions League ties have resulted in Under 2.5 goals being scored, and this could contribute to a low-scoring affair unfolding at the Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on Matchday 3.

Benfica v Real Sociedad Verdict

Despite holding home advantage at their Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, Tuesday night's hosts, Benfica, have struggled to make an impact so far in the group stage of this competition and visitors, Real Sociedad, are expected to keep things tight at the back here.

Therefore, our main bet will be Under 2.5 goals @ 1.75

Other side bets worth considering:

Benfica win @ 2.15

Correct score: Benfica 1-0 @ 7.50