Bet of the day: Man United to bag the win in Benfica
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Portuguese giants’ hopes could be ended
Manchester United travel to Lisbon to take on Benfica on matchday three of this season’s Champions League group stage.
Jose Mourinho’s side sit on the cusp on virtual qualification, having won their opening two games at a canter.
The Red Devils will face a Benfica side who are practically in the proverbial last chance saloon already.
The Portuguese giants have surprisingly lost their first two games of the group. If they lose here, it’s all-but-over.
However, Mourinho will show no mercy – certainly not as an ex-Porto legend. His side are unbeaten domestically and in this season’s UCL.
Since their loss to Real Madrid in the Super Cup final, the Red Devils have won nine of their 11 fixtures in all competitions.
Aguias have faced United six times in this competition and been on the winning side just once. They’ve lost three times and drew twice with the Premier League giants.
When all that is considered, Coral’s Bet of the Day is 4/5 on Manchester United to win.
Estadio da Luz could see goal-fest
If you’ve been watching any of United at all this season, you’ll have noticed they have been scoring goals for fun.
Mourinho’s side have seemingly clicked this term, scoring 30 goals in all competitions. They have managed 3+ in seven of those games.
They’re quick, they’re powerful and they can hit you from all angles.
Benfica have conceded seven – that’s seven – against Basel and CSKA Moscow.
How are they going to handle Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Juan Mata, and Anthony Martial?
Man United to Win and Over 2.5 Goals is nicely priced at 19/10.
Lukaku to be let loose again
Liverpool managed to keep the Belgian quiet at Anfield last weekend but that was more down to team tactics than good defending.
Mourinho instructed his side to sit deeper than normal with the idea that a point was better than potentially losing their unbeaten record.
Lukaku was isolated up front but that shouldn’t be the case here.
Benfica will have to get a positive result to stay in the competition so United will be dangerous on the counter.
The Lisbon giants’ defence has been porous in this year’s UCL too and if anyone is going to take advantage of that it’s the ex-Everton striker.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
