Benfica v Real Madrid: Three stats and three bets for Tuesday's Champions League clash

• Estádio da Luz set for intensity

• Portugese side hold head-to-head edge overall

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Click for Benfica v Real Madrid odds here
Tuesday, 20:00 kick-off
Live on TNT Sports

Benfica welcome Real Madrid to the Estádio da Luz for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off roung, bringing together two of the competitions most recognisable names.

Real Madrid need little introduction, with no club lifting this trophy more often, however history appears to be on the side of Benfica. The portugese side may have the upper hand here- winning three of the previous four UEFA meetings against Los Blancos and outscoring them 15-8 overall.

Their latest encounter was an action packed 4-2 victory for Benfica in the group stage, which included the home side's goalkeeper getting on the scoresheet in stoppage time, which go them to the plya-offs, while Real Madrid missed out on automatic qualification to the knockout round by one place, meaning they are also in the play-offs.

With past results and current form adding extra spice, this opening leg in Lisbon looks anything but straightforward for the visitors.

Bet #1 - Back Both Teams to Score

The Stat

The two teams with the most goals following direct attacks in the UEFA Champions League this season are Benfica and Real Madrid (4 each). Los Blancos are the top-ranked team for direct attacks (29), averaging 3.6 per game in this edition (Benfica with 17, at 2.1 per game).

The Bet

Bet #2 - Back over 2.5 Goals

The Stat

Real Madrid have netted 2.2 goals on average per fixture during their last 10 UEFA champions League games against Portuguese sides. Taking into account the 6 goals scored in the last meeting between these two sides, over 2.5 goals looks likely.

The Bet

Bet #3 - Back Kylian Mbappé as first goalscorer

The Stat

Kylian Mbappé has scored 13 goals in seven appearances for Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League this season. Of players with 5+ games played, this is the highest goals-per-game ratio of any player in a single European Cup/Champions League campaign (1.86).

The Bet

Now read Paul Higham's Wednesday Champions League Tips