Benfica vs Marseille Prediction & Preview

Benfica vs Marseille Prediction & Preview

In the Europa League quarter-finals, Benfica and Marseille are set to clash in the first leg at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica.

Benfica:

  • The Eagles had a solid season but missed out on the Champions League knockout stages. They secured third place in their group, allowing them to continue in the Europa League.
  • Recent form: Benfica has lost only one of their last seven games. However, they stumbled in their last match, losing 2-1 to Sporting Lisbon in the Lisbon derby.
  • Home advantage: Benfica has been formidable at home, with only one loss in their last 19 matches across all competitions.
  • Previous European encounters: Benfica has previously defeated Marseille in knockout stages, but this is their first competitive meeting since March 2010.

Marseille:

  • Marseille finished second in their Europa League group and progressed to the quarter-finals by overcoming Shakhtar Donetsk and Villarreal.
  • Domestic struggles: In Ligue 1, Marseille currently sits in eighth place, far from impressive. Gennaro Gattuso was sacked earlier in the season, and Jean-Louis Gasset now leads the team.
  • Recent woes: Marseille failed to win any of their first five league matches in 2024.
  • Historical context: These teams last faced off in the 2009/10 UEFA Europa League, with Benfica advancing 3-2 on aggregate.

Prediction:

  • Both teams have their strengths, but Benfica’s home advantage and overall solidity give them the edge.
  • Best Bet: Benfica to win and both teams to score.

The second leg will take place at Stade Velodrome next week, and the winners will advance to the final four, where they’ll face either Liverpool or Atalanta next month.