Benfica vs Monaco Prediction - Champions League
Get ready for a thrilling Champions League clash as Benfica hosts Monaco at the iconic Estadio da Luz on 18 February 2025. With the second leg of the Round of 16 kicking off at 20:00, the stakes are incredibly high, especially following Benfica’s 1-0 away win in the first leg.
Benfica, under the guidance of Bruno Lage, comes into this game in stellar form, boasting a five-match winning streak. In contrast, Monaco, led by Adi Hütter, has had an up-and-down run lately, with three losses in their last five games. The bookmakers have pegged Benfica as the favourites, offering odds of 1.77 for a home win.
Anatolii Trubin is expected to start in goal for Benfica, with Vangelis Pavlidis leading the attack. Monaco will rely on Radoslaw Majecki in goal and a potential attacking duo of Breel Embolo and Mika Biereth.
Our match tip suggests betting on Benfica with a -1.00 Asian Handicap for a good potential return. This match could be pivotal in determining who moves forward to face possibly Barcelona in the next round. Whether it’s a tactical masterclass or a goal-scoring fest, this one promises to be a must-watch.
Benfica vs Monaco Prediction & Betting Tip
| Benfica vs. Monaco Prediction | |
|---|---|
| Betting Tip | Odds |
| Benfica -1.00 (Asian Handicap) | 2.43 |
Why this is a good prediction:
- Benfica’s better home advantage makes them a formidable opponent at Estadio da Luz.
- Recent form favors Benfica, who are on a five-match winning streak compared to Monaco’s inconsistency.
- Historical head-to-head results show that Benfica has never lost to Monaco, increasing confidence in a home win.
Betting on Benfica with a -1.00 Asian Handicap offers a decent potential return and aligns well with recent performances and historical data.
Benfica vs Monaco Odds
| Benfica vs. Monaco Betting Odds | |
|---|---|
| Bet | Odds |
| Benfica | 1.77 |
| Draw | 4.08 |
| Monaco | 4.04 |
The bookmakers have pegged Benfica as the favorites, with odds of 1.77 for a home win, reflecting their home advantage and current form. A draw has been given higher odds, indicating the bookmakers’ confidence in one of the teams clinching a victory. Placing a bet on Monaco offers significant returns at 4.04, acknowledging their recent ups and downs and Benfica’s historical dominance in head-to-head matches.
Benfica Team Analysis
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara | Benfica | 0-1 (Win) |
| Monaco | Benfica | 0-1 (Win) |
| Benfica | Moreirense | 3-2 (Win) |
| Estrela da Amadora | Benfica | 2-3 (Win) |
| Juventus | Benfica | 0-2 (Win) |
Benfica has been on a remarkable run, winning their last five matches across all competitions. Throughout these games, they’ve maintained three clean sheets, showcasing their defensive strength, while also averaging two goals per match. The standout performance saw Vangelis Pavlidis deliver crucial goals in tight situations. Bruno Lage’s squad has been resilient, especially in the Champions League, where they secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Monaco. This recent form bodes well for their upcoming fixture. Benfica’s recent games not only highlight their scoring prowess but also emphasize their ability to grind out wins.
Benfica Key Players
Benfica comes into this clash with a better lineup. Key players such as Anatolii Trubin in goal and Nicolas Otamendi, the experienced centre-back, will be essential in maintaining their defensive solidity. In midfield, Leandro Barreiro and Orkun Kökcü are expected to dictate the tempo, with Fredrik Aursnes providing creativity in the attacking midfield role. Vangelis Pavlidis, their top scorer, will be leading the line and aiming to add to his crucial goal tally.
Expected lineup for Benfica:
- Goalkeeper: Anatolii Trubin
- Defenders: Samuel Dahl, António Silva, Nicolas Otamendi, Álvaro Fernández Carreras
- Midfielders: Orkun Kökcü, Leandro Barreiro, Fredrik Aursnes
- Attackers: Andreas Schjelderup, Vangelis Pavlidis, Kerem Aktürkoglu
Benfica Suspensions & Injuries
Benfica faces several challenges with key players sidelined due to injuries and suspensions. These absences could hinder their usual style of play, impacting both their defense and attack.
| Player | Injury | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Tiago Gouveia | Shoulder injury | Late February 2025 |
| Renato Sanches | Thigh injury | Late February 2025 |
| Alexander Bah | Cruciate ligament injury | Late October 2025 |
| Manuel Jorge Silva | Cruciate ligament injury | Mid October 2025 |
| Angel Di Maria | Hamstring injury | Early March 2025 |
| Tomas Araújo | Muscle injury | Late February 2025 |
| Player | Suspension | Expected return |
|---|---|---|
| Florentino Luís | Yellow cards | 1 match |
Florentino Luís’s suspension leaves a gap in the midfield, affecting the team’s defensive shield. The absence of attacking talents like Angel Di Maria and Alexander Bah also poses challenges, requiring Bruno Lage to rely on bench strength.
Benfica Tactics and Formation
Benfica Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Key Forward: Vangelis Pavlidis
- Midfield Trio: Orkun Kökcü, Leandro Barreiro, Fredrik Aursnes
- Defensive Strength: Three clean sheets in the last five games.
Benfica’s tactical setup under Bruno Lage typically features a 4-2-3-1 formation, aiming to provide a solid defensive base while allowing fluidity in attack. With Vangelis Pavlidis leading the line, Benfica looks to leverage his poaching abilities, supported by an advanced midfield trio.
Orkun Kökcü and Leandro Barreiro are key in the defensive midfield, providing a shield for the backline and initiating counter-attacks. Fredrik Aursnes plays a crucial role as the attacking midfielder, linking play between defense and attack, and creating chances for the forwards and wingers.
The team has demonstrated better defensive performances recently, highlighted by three clean sheets in their last five matches. This solidity at the back will be crucial against Monaco’s potent attack.
With a strategic focus on maintaining possession and exploiting spaces on the wings, Benfica will look to capitalize on Monaco’s defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in the final quarter of the match where Benfica tends to concede less frequently.
Monaco Team Analysis
Monaco’s recent form has been somewhat inconsistent, with three losses and two wins in their last five games. They have exhibited both high-scoring victories and significant defensive lapses.
| Home team | Away team | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Monaco | Nantes | 7-1 (Win) |
| Monaco | Benfica | 0-1 (Loss) |
| PSG | Monaco | 4-1 (Loss) |
| Monaco | Auxerre | 4-2 (Win) |
| Inter | Monaco | 3-0 (Loss) |
Monaco have scored an average of 2.4 goals per game recently but have struggled defensively, managing no clean sheets in their last five matches. This imbalance could prove problematic against a solid Benfica side. However, the attacking prowess Monaco showcased in thrashing Nantes will give them hope of causing an upset.
Monaco Key Players
Expected lineup for Monaco:
- Goalkeeper: Radoslaw Majecki
- Defenders: Krepin Diatta, Thilo Kehrer, Mohammed Salisu, Christian Mawissa
- Midfielders: Maghnes Akliouche, Lamine Camara, Takumi Minamino, Eliesse Ben Seghir
- Forwards: Breel Embolo, Mika Biereth
Despite the absence of a clear top scorer, players like Breel Embolo and Mika Biereth have the potential to be pivotal. Breel Embolo’s physical presence and aerial ability could pose a challenge for Benfica’s central defenders, Nicolas Otamendi and António Silva. In midfield, Takumi Minamino’s creative vision will be crucial in unlocking Benfica’s defense. Watch out for duels between Monaco’s attacking players and Benfica’s solid defense, which has helped the team maintain three clean sheets in their last five games.
Monaco Suspensions & Injuries
Suspensions
| Player | Suspension | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Moatasem Al-Musrati | Yellow/red card | Banned matches left 1 |
| Vanderson | Yellow cards | Banned matches left 1 |
| Denis Zakaria | Yellow cards | Banned matches left 1 |
Injuries
| Player | Injury | Expected Return |
|---|---|---|
| Folarin Balogun | Shoulder injury | Late February 2025 |
| Wilfried Singo | Hamstring injury | Late February 2025 |
| Jordan Teze | Muscle injury | About 1-2 weeks |
| Soungoutou Magassa | Head injury | About 1-2 weeks |
| Aleksandr Golovin | Groin injury | About 1-2 weeks |
Monaco faces significant challenges with key players missing due to injuries and suspensions. The absence of defensive stalwarts like Vanderson and Zakaria will put pressure on their backline, which is already up against a formidable Benfica attack. Additionally, the injuries to Balogun and Singo affect their attacking options and tactical versatility.
These disruptions could force coach Adi Hütter to rotate his squad heavily, impacting their cohesion on the pitch. Expect Monaco to rely even more on players like Breel Embolo and Takumi Minamino to step up in these crucial moments.
Monaco Tactics and Formation
Monaco’s Tactical Breakdown:
- Formation: 4-4-2
- Key Forward: Breel Embolo
- Midfield Trio: Maghnes Akliouche, Lamine Camara, Takumi Minamino
- Defensive Adjustments: With key defenders like Vanderson and Zakaria suspended
Monaco will be hard-pressed to maintain solidity in their defensive setup. Adi Hütter is likely to rely on a combination of seasoned players and squad rotation to patch up the gaps. The team tends to rely on quick transitions and will look to exploit the 61-75-minute interval, where they have been notably prolific this season. The attacking line will lean heavily on Embolo to create and finish chances, while Minamino’s creative play in midfield may be crucial for unlocking Benfica’s defense.
Benfica vs Monaco Head-to-Head Statistics
| Home | Away | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Monaco | Benfica | 0-1 |
| Monaco | Benfica | 2-3 |
| Benfica | Monaco | 1-0 |
| Monaco | Benfica | 0-0 |
| Benfica | Monaco | 3-2 |
The last five encounters between these sides show a competitive edge, with Benfica securing four wins and one draw.
Monaco will need to break their current run of losses against Benfica, who seem to have the upper hand historically.
