Benfica vs Atletico Madrid predictions: Atleti's away record could be their downfall
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- Atletico Madrid have won just one of their last nine Champions League away games
- Benfica have won four games in a row
- Recommended bet: Benfica draw no bet
Benfica have bounced back from a shock defeat to Familicao in their opening match of the season by going seven unbeaten, including winning four games on the spin.
They began their Champions League campaign with a 2-1 win over Red Star Belgrade and now take on Atletico Madrid.
Los Colchoneros have had a solid start to the season, but they needed a late winner to get past RB Leipzig two weeks ago, and their away record in this competition leaves plenty to be desired.
Team news
Renato Sanches is still recovering from a muscle injury for Benfica and will be absent along with Tiago Gouvela, who is suffering from a shoulder issue.
Atletico will be without Cesar Azpilicueta, who has a thigh injury and Pablo Barrios remains a doubt despite returning to training as he works to get over a muscle issue.
The stats
Atleti have lost six of their last nine away games in the Champions League.
These teams last met in the 2015-16 Champions League, with both games going to the away team by a scoreline of 2-1.
Benfica have won their last four games and both teams have found the net in four of their last five outings.
Since Roger Schmidt's departure as manager, Bruno Lage has guided the home team to score 14 goals in four matches.
Prediction
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Lage has produced a significant response from his Benfica players since returning for a second spell in charge on September 5, winning all four games and seeing his side score 14 goals in the process.
They face the biggest challenge of his reign when they host Atletico, who beat RB Leipzig 2-1 at home in their first Champions League clash.
Diego Simeone's side have a poor record on their travels in this competition, however, losing six of their last nine away matches and winning just one.
They picked up a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid at the weekend but it came at a price, with the actions of Atleti's fans causing an unnecessary distraction for the hosts.
Benfica can make a real statement by securing a positive result in this clash and give their chances of qualifying for the knockout stages of this new Champions League format a real boost.
However, Atleti are not to be underestimated so it may pay to play it safer and remove the stalemate from the equation and take the home team in the draw no bet market.
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