Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Two camps who will get their respective Champions League qualifying adventures underway on Wednesday night, Nice will welcome Benfica to the Allianz Riviera.
Nice
Starting with the hosts, signing off the 2024/25 campaign with a sensational 6-0 romp at home against Brest on May 17th, Nice will simply be looking to carry on from where they left off prior to the summer interval. Eventually clinching a fourth-place finish among France’s elite last season, Franck Haise’s side registered 12 points from their final five Ligue 1 appearances and they rightfully received plenty of plaudits. Likewise, signing off their summer preparations with an action-packed 3-2 win against Championship outfit Sheffield United, Nice will know the importance of claiming a first-leg advantage here. It should also be highlighted, Wednesday’s hosts won all of their final three domestic showdowns at the Allianz Riviera by an aggregate score of 9-1.
Nice Team News
Completing a permanent switch from Rapid Vienna this summer, new recruit Isak Jansson should make his competitive debut on Wednesday night. Likewise, fellow new arrival Yehvann Diouf will start between the sticks at the Allianz Riviera.
Despite turning 42 later this year, veteran defender Dante will start at the heart of Nice’s defence here. Reportedly attracting plenty of Premier League interest this summer, attacking talisman Evann Guessand will lead the line in midweek.
Benfica
As for the visitors, while Benfica might have been frustrated last season as they eventually had to settle for a silver medal finish among Portugal’s elite, the Eagles certainly made a real statement on their return to domestic duties. Crowned Super Cup champions on July 31st as they claimed a stellar 1-0 victory against bitter rivals Sporting Lisbon, Bruno Lage’s side should be excited by a trip to France on Wednesday night. Booking a Club World Cup knockout stage ticket this summer and springing a real upset on June 24th as they landed a 1-0 win against German giants Bayern Munich, Benfica have not suffered a competitive defeat within 90 minutes since returning from March’s international break.
Benfica Team News
All still dealing with respective injury issues, Benfica will once again be without the likes of Alexander Bah, Tomas Araujo and new recruit Manu on Wednesday night. However, completing a big-money move from Palmeiras last month, Richard Rios will start in the middle of the park.
Bagging the Super Cup winner against Sporting Lisbon last week, attacking ace Vangelis Pavlidis will play a leading role in the final third. One-time Manchester City star Nicolas Otamendi will start at the heart of Benfica’s defence.
Nice vs Benfica Key Factors to Consider
- Wednesday’s showdown at the Allianz Riviera will be the first competitive meeting between Nice and Benfica.
- Signing off the 2024/25 campaign with a 6-0 romp against Brest on May 17th, Nice registered 12 points from their final five Ligue 1 appearances.
- Likewise, Wednesday’s hosts won their final three Ligue 1 matches at the Allianz Riviera by an aggregate score of 9-1.
- Benfica have not suffered a competitive defeat within 90 minutes since returning from March’s international break.
- The Portuguese giants have recorded just two clean sheets in their last seven Champions League showdowns on foreign soil.
Conclusion
In what could prove to be an intriguing Champions League qualifier on Wednesday night, neutrals will be hoping for an enjoyable first-leg battle here. Watching Nice win all of their final three Ligue 1 appearances at the Allianz Riviera by an aggregate score of 9-1 back in in May, the French outfit will be desperate to claim a first-leg advantage in midweek. With Haise’s side signing off their summer preparations with an action-packed 3-2 win against Sheffield United, chances could fall at both ends of the pitch.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
