PREVIEW
The Lisbon side last won across the border in 1982 and may well need a repeat of that success on Wednesday if they are to ensure their place in the last 16.
PROBABLE LINEUPS
BARCELONA
Valdes
Montoya, Pique, Puyol, Alba
Fabregas, Busquets, Iniesta
Pedro, Messi, Villa
BENFICA
Artur
M. Pereira, Luisao, Garay, Melgarejo
Salvio, Matic, Gaitan, Perez
Lima, Cardozo
TEAM NEWS
Benfica will need to at least equal Celtic's result against Spartak Moscow if they are to qualify from Champions League Group G alongside Barcelona, who have already been confirmed as group winners.
Yet Barcelona are expected to name a strong line-up, with Lionel Messi still expected to feature as he chases down Gerd Muller's record of 85 goals in a calendar year.
Martin Montoya may start at right-back as Dani Alves remains sidelined through injury, while Xavi is likely to be given a rest so Cesc Fabregas, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta will line up in midfield.
This will enable David Villa to move into the starting line-up, attacking from the left with Pedro from the right.
Knowing they may well need to pick up their first win against Spanish opposition in 30 years, Benfica will name their strongest possible XI.
Oscar Cardozo will lead the line alongside Lima and Nicolas Gaitan will play at the tip of a diamond midfield between the duo.
Luisao will make just his second appearance in this season's competition following his two-month suspension for pushing over a referee in pre-season.
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Source: Goal





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