The Champions League is a funny thing. A team’s fortunes can change in an instant because of how they play in it, or even just by returning to it — just look at Manchester United. As they face Benfica in Portugal on Wednesday, the Red Devils can truly cement their status as having returned to the upper echelon of European football, as a win can put them to within a small reach of qualifying for the knockout rounds.
Manchester United have won both of their group stage matches so far, and they’re facing the one team in their group without even a single point after two matches. Benfica’s story has been one of struggle this season, sitting in third place and a full five points out of first place in the Primeira Liga, failing to string together two wins since August. They’re not quite looking like the Portuguese powerhouse they were not too long ago, and they’re the decided underdogs in this matchup.
Of course, Manchester United are lead by Jose Mourinho, who is known for his tendency to play conservatively on the road in the Champions League, especially when there isn’t much at stake. We shouldn’t expect to see United go all-out in this match — though they still will have enough firepower to rock this reeling Benfica side, and they’re not just going to sit back and wait all match long. They’re going to get their chances, and they’re going to do their damnedest to take full advantage of them.
Benfica have just one player absent, with Andre Almeida suspended. Manchester United, on the other hand, have a raft of injuries to manage — Eric Bailly is in doubt and not expected to play after picking up a knock on international duty, while Paul Pogba, Marouane Fellaini, Michael Carrick, Marcos Rojo, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic all remain out with various long-term injuries.
Match info, plus how to watch on TV and stream
Match Date/Time: Wednesday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 7:45 p.m. local
Venue: Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
TV: Fox Deportes (U.S. - Spanish), Sport TV1 (Portugal), BT Sport 2 (U.K.)
Online: Facebook Live, Fox Soccer Match Pass, Fox Sports Go (U.S.), BT Sport Live (U.K.)
Make friends: Check out The Busby Babe for more Manchester United coverage.
Listings for more countries can be found at LiveSoccerTV.