Team news
Barcelona
Ansu Fati, Pedri, Ousmane Dembele, Sergio Aguero and Martin Braithwaite are all on the sidelines.
Sergino Dest, Sergio Busquets and Nico are doubtful.
Benfica
First-choice centre-back Lucas Verissimo is out injured.
Midfielder Joao Mario and left winger Nemanja Radonjic are doubtful.
Probable lineups
Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen; Mingueza, Araujo, Pique, Alba; Sergi Roberto, Busquets, De Jong; Gavi, Memphis, Coutinho.
Benfica XI: Vlachodimos; Otamendi, Morato, Vertonghen; Gilberto, Pizzi, Weigl, Grimaldo; Silva, Yaremchuk, Nunez.
Stats
Benfica beat Barcelona 3-0 last time out.
The Portuguese side have lost just one out of their 11 league games this season; they're third, one point behind the two leaders.
Benfica have conceded 19 goals in their last 5 games, including 5 against Bayern Munich.
Predictions
Barcelona 2-1 Benfica (SportsMole)
Barcelona boss Xavi is certainly working with a more solid rearguard for this encounter, and the injection of confidence received from assuring themselves of a top-two spot will be invaluable.
Benfica will not be broken down lightly and have fond memories of their September battle with Barca, but we still expect Xavi's reign to continue in perfect fashion here.
