Marseille vs Benfica prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Play Offs betting tips on match 2024-04-17 19:00.
[p]Marseilleâs form has fallen off a cliff in recent weeks, with a five-game losing streak likely having scuppered their attempts to qualify for Europe next season, and threatening to end their participation in this yearâs UEFA Europa League (UEL). The French outfit head into the second leg of their quarter-final tie with a 2-1 deficit to overturn against opponents Benfica, having been beaten in the reverse fixture in Portugal seven days ago.[/p]
[p]If Jean-Louis Gassetâs side are looking for positives, they have had seven days to prepare for this match, thanks to not having played a Ligue 1 game at the weekend. They are also in staggeringly good form at the Stade VĂ©lodrome, where Paris St-Germain are the only team to have beaten them so far this season (W13, D6), while they have not tasted defeat in the UEL at home in more than five years (W5, D3).[/p]
[p]That record might not bother their opponents though, given that Benfica have lost just two of their last 15 European away contests (W8, D5) in a run stretching back to November 2021. They also warmed up for this clash by beating Moreirense 3-0 on Sunday, despite boss Roger Schmidt opting to rotate his squad in a bid to keep them fresh for this encounter.[/p]
[p]That victory just about keeps alive the clubâs hopes of lifting the Primeira Liga title, but it is UEL glory that the supporters might covet, as the 1962 European Cup winners attempt to take another step to a first final in this competition in ten years. Benfica certainly make the trip to France in good form as well, having lost only one of their last nine outings across all competitions (W6, D2).[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Marseille striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the UELâs top goalscorer excluding qualifiers this campaign, having netted ten times in as many appearances. He will be in a tussle for the spotlight with Benficaâs Ăngel Di MarĂa, who has lost just one of his 18 personal H2Hs with the French side (W13, D4), scoring six goals in the process.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Thirteen of Marseilleâs last 16 home games in the UEL have featured 3+ goals.[/p]