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November 25 2024, 15:08 · Alex Sarwar

Monaco vs Benfica Preview: Team News & Prediction

Monaco vs Benfica Preview: Team News & Prediction
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Third-placed Monaco host Benfica looking to end their long-standing bad record against Portuguese clubs in Europe.

Kick-off date/time: Wednesday November 27th 2024: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports 6 / US – CBS Sports

How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+

Monaco Preview: One of six still unbeaten

With ten points from a possible 12 so far in the league phase, Monaco are in an excellent position to push on and seal an automatic passage through to the knockout stage. However, if anyone can put an end to their recent run, Benfica can when taking into account Monaco’s record against Portuguese opposition.

You have to go back to the 1997-1998 Champions League for the last time Monaco defeated a team from Portugal, that being Sporting Lisbon. Since then, they’ve failed to win across seven European fixtures vs a Portuguese club, a run which includes defeat against Jose Mourinho’s FC Porto in the 2003-2004 Champions League final.

Benfica Preview: Domestic form strong but European form patchy

Benfica have lost their last two Champions League matches, a blow following such a good start to the competition, which had seen them record back-to-back wins against Crvena Zvezda and Atletico Madrid respectively. Since their latest European defeat at the hands of Bayern Munich, Benfica have record consecutive wins domestically in league and cup, racking up 11 goals in the process.

After overcoming bitter rivals FC Porto by four goals to one at the Estadio da Luz, Bruno Lage’s side demolished Estrela Amadora 7-0 in the Taca de Portugal, with Angel Di Maria scoring a hat-trick inside the opening 20 minutes.

Monaco Team News: Two missing for Monaco

The hosts will be without both striker Folarin Balogun and midfielder Sofiane Diop. Meanwhile, defender Wilfried Singo will be looking to continue his impressive recent attacking form, which saw him register a goal and assist against Crvena Zvezda.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Majecki; Henrique, Kehrer, Singo, Vanderson; Camara, Zakaria; Ben Seghir, Minamino, Akliouche; Embolo

Unavailable: Balogun (Injured), Diop (Injured)

Questionable: Diatta (Injured)

Benfica Team News: Same XI that thrashed Porto expected

It would be a surprise if Lage deviated from the starting line-up that played so well against Porto. This allows both Angel Di Maria and Muhammed Kerem Akturkoglu to both start and play off Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Bah, Araujo, Otamendi, Carreras; Florentino, Aursnes; Di Maria, Kokcu, Akturkoglu; Pavlidis

Unavailable: Barreiro (Injured), Gouveia (Injured), Prestianni (Injured)

Questionable: Vazquez (Injured)

Key Stats

  • Monaco have won four of their last five UEFA competition matches at home (L1).
  • Monaco have won three and drawn one of their previous four matches in the UEFA Champions League this season.
  • Monaco have won their previous two UEFA Champions League home games this season.
  • Monaco are aiming to win three successive UEFA competition matches for the first time since the 2016/17 season.
  • Only one of Monaco’s last 60 UEFA competition matches finished without a goal being scored.
  • Benfica have lost only three of their last 17 UEFA competition matches against French teams (W9 D5). Despite a 1-0 defeat against Marseille in their most recent such fixture (2023/24 Europa League quarter-final second leg).
  • Benfica are without a win in their last six UEFA competition matches away from home against French teams (D3 L3). Since a 3-2 victory at Bordeaux in the 2012/13 Europa League round of 16 second leg
  • Only one of Benfica’s last 35 UEFA competition matches finished without a goal being scored.

Monaco vs Benfica Prediction

Monaco are the form team heading into this match and have been particularly strong at home, beating both Barcelona and Crvena Zvezda, whilst accumulating seven goals in the process. They may not have a better chance than this in a long time to finally beat a Portuguese club with Benfica having lost their last two. With that in mind, utilise the double chance market and back Monaco to gain at least a point, if not all three.

Monaco vs Benfica Tip: Double chance - Monaco/draw