One of the more intriguing European clashes this midweek sees Benfica host Marseille at the Estádio da Luz in the Europa League.
Benfica are still involved in the title race in Portugal, but it seems likely this season that they will surrender the championship to rivals Sporting, who are four points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.
Marseille, meanwhile, have had a fairly disappointing campaign as they are currently down in eighth in Ligue 1, though they still have a very slim chance of qualifying for the Champions League.
Current Form
Benfica Current Form
Benfica, unfortunately for them, have made a habit out of losing key games this season.
Their last three losses have come against Sporting in the Portuguese Cup, Porto in the league and then Sporting in the league at the weekend.
They lost 2-1 versus Sporting on Saturday which effectively killed their chances of winning the Primeira Liga. Prior to that, they went on a six-game unbeaten run.
Marseille Current Form
Marseille, meanwhile, are on a shocking run of four defeats in a row.
In their last three games in Ligue 1, they have fallen to defeat versus Rennes, Paris Saint-Germain and Lille, whom they lost to at the weekend.
In those four games lost they have conceded 10 and scored just two.
Benfica Team News
Fredrik Aursnes was sent off against Sporting and will be suspended for the next league game but that obviously doesn’t apply here so he is fine to feature in the back four.
Barring any last-minute fitness issues, Benfica have their full Europa League roster to choose from.
Marseille, on the other hand, have a flurry of injury issues they need to contend with.
Michael Murillo, Bilal Nadir, Valentin Rongier and Pedro Ruiz are definite absentees, while Chancel Mbemba will be assessed closer to kick-off.
Scoreline Prediction
Neither side are firing currently, but at home Benfica have what it takes to emerge victorious in the first leg.
Benfica 2-1 Marseille
For all of the analysis of the match as it happens…
Source link : https://www.footballcritic.com/news/benfica-vs-marseille-prediction-team-to-win-form-news-and-more-11-04-2024/4323
Author : editors@footballcritic.com (Martin Macdonald)
Publish date : 2024-04-10 12:57:47
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