Verdict: Benfica win
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Looking to finish off the job and extend on their Champions League qualifying adventure on Tuesday night, Benfica will welcome Nice to Lisbon for their second-leg showdown.
Benfica
Starting with the hosts, while Benfica might have been forced to settle for another silver medal finish among Portugal’s elite last season, the Eagles are certainly enjoying life under Bruno Lage. Claiming what could prove to be a crucial first-leg advantage last week as they secured an eye-catching 2-0 win at the Allianz Riviera, the one-time Wolves boss will be calling on his squad to lay down another qualifying marker here. Crowned Super Cup champions on July 31st thanks to a 1-0 victory against arch-rivals Sporting Lisbon, Benfica should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Not suffering a single competitive defeat within 90 minutes since returning from March’s international break, Tuesday’s hosts will be excited to make a return to the Estadio da Luz in midweek.
Benfica Team News
Both still dealing with respective long-term knee injuries, Benfica will once again be without the duo of Alexander Bah and summer recruit Manu on Tuesday night. Likewise, one-time Real Sociedad striker Bruma will miss out here after picking up an Achilles tendon blow last month.
Claiming Benfica’s Golden Boot last season after registering 19 Primeira Liga strikes, Greek international Vangelis Pavlidis will spearhead Lage’s attack. Former Manchester City ace Nicolas Otamendi will start at the heart of Benfica’s defence.
Nice
As for the visitors, putting in what was a downbeat performance at the Allianz Riviera last week as they fell to that 2-0 defeat on home soil, Nice have an almighty challenge on their hands here. Seeking what would be a sensational turnaround on Tuesday night, Franck Haise’s qualifying dreams are hanging by a thread. Despite signing off the 2024/25 campaign with an extended flurry, the former Lens boss will have a mild headache over his side’s inconstancies on their travels. Winning just one of their final four Ligue 1 showdowns on the road last season, it should also be highlighted that Nice remarkably failed to register a single top-flight clean sheet away from the Allianz Riviera since the start of November.
Nice Team News
Not making a single appearance since the end of February, Nice will travel to Lisbon on Tuesday night without the services of former Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele. Likewise, ex-Basaksehir youngster Youssouf Ndayishimiye remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee issue.
Watching attacking talisman Evann Guessand complete a permanent switch to Premier League outfit Aston Villa last week, plenty of Nice’s goalscoring threat will now be on the shoulders of Nigerian international Terem Moffi.
Benfica vs Nice Key Factors to Consider
- When Benfica and Nice met for their first-leg showdown at the Allianz Riviera last week, the Eagles collected a 2-0 victory on foreign soil.
- Benfica have not suffered a single competitive defeat across any competition within 90 minutes since returning from March’s international break.
- Nice mustered just a single win from any of their final four Ligue 1 away fixtures last season.
- Likewise, the Eaglets have failed to muster a sole clean sheet away at top-flight opposition since way back on November 2nd.
- Benfica registered 19 goals in their final six domestic matchups in Lisbon last season.
Conclusion
Putting in what was a stellar performance on foreign soil last week as they claimed that 2-0 victory at the Allianz Riviera, Benfica will be looking to extend on their Champions League qualifying adventure with another major statement of intent. Continuing to impress on either side of the summer interval, the Portuguese giants will certainly be excited to make a return to Lisbon on Tuesday night. Gaining a fearsome reputation for their free-scoring performances on home soil, Benfica are sat firmly in the driving seat here. With Nice showing some real inconsistencies on their travels last season, we are backing a home victory in midweek.
Verdict: Benfica win
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Dachbet
