Boca Juniors vs. Benfica: Picks, Predictions, Odds and Player Props

Two of world football’s most storied clubs clash in the Club World Cup on Monday as Argentinean giants Boca Juniors face two-time European Cup champions Benfica at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.

It will feel like a home game for Boca, whose passionate fans have traveled from Buenos Aires en masse and transformed Miami Beach into “Boca Beach”. But the six-time Copa Libertadores winners will face a stern test against a Benfica side packed with European pedigree and technical quality.

Edinson Cavani will be a big miss for Boca as the Uruguayan is recovering from injury, but they will not lack experience with former Manchester United duo Marcos Rojo and Ander Herrera in their ranks.

Benfica arrive with a squad blending experienced internationals and emerging talents. Angel Di Maria and Vangelis Pavlidis lead the forward line while left-back Alvaro Carreras has caught the eye of Real Madrid with his attacking verve.

This match promises to be a clash of styles with Boca’s physicality and South American spirit going up against Benfica’s technical prowess and European know-how. 

With both teams eyeing progression from a group that also includes Bayern Munich, expect a fiercely contested encounter under the Miami lights.

Boca Juniors vs. Benfica betting picks and predictions

Over 4.5 Cards in the Match (-150)

The man in the middle, Cesar Ramos, averages around four cards per game with 38 yellows and three reds issued in his last 12 Mexican domestic appointments.

But his card count went up when he took charge of three matches at last summer’s Copa America in the United States as he produced 15 yellow and two red cards.

One of those matches was a feisty affair involving Colombia and Uruguay, which completely got out of hand at ome stage.

These clubs will be desperate to avoid defeat after Bayern Munich's 10-0 win over Auckland FC hardened the belief that the German club will overpower the rest of the group.

With so much at stake, emotions could run high in the game as both teams look to put each other - and the referee - under pressure.

So it may be worth backing Over 4.5 on the number of cards in the match in case tempers boil over in the Miami heat. 

Benfica to Win and Over 2.5 Goals (+140)

Benfica’s greater experience and attacking depth could prove decisive against a Boca side that has struggled to create chances in big matches.

The Portuguese side are in better form than Boca, who failed to score in either of their knock-out ties at the end of the Argentinean Apertura campaign.

Benfica head coach Bruno Lage has plenty of attacking talent at his disposal, and his team can secure three points in this opening fixture with at least three goals in the game — just as they did in nine of their final 12 Portuguese league games.

Kerem Akturkoglu to Score or Assist (-125)

Kerem Akturkoglu was Benfica’s most productive player in terms of goals and assists last season, tallying 11 of each in 30 Portuguese top-flight matches.

The Turkish winger also scored four Champions League goals and assisted another in 11 appearances in that competition.

He warmed up for the Club World Cup by scoring the winner for Turkey in a recent international friendly against the United States and looks to be in the sort of form to make another telling contribution.

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Boca Juniors vs. Benfica odds

Boca Juniors	+550
Tie	+320
Benfica	-209

Boca Juniors vs. Benfica player props

Anytime Goalscorer

Vangelis Pavlidis (Benfica)	-110
Armando Bruna (Benfica)	+160
Kerem Akturkoglu (Benfica)	+160
Andrea Belotti (Benfica)	+160
Miguel Merentiel (Boca Juniors)	+375
Kevin Zenon (Boca Juniors)	+400

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.