Benfica vs Marseille Prediction: Team News and Lineups Preview

Welcome to our Benfica vs Marseille prediction, team news, lineups and fixtures preview. The first leg of the Europa League quarter finals takes place in Lisbon where two teams who aren’t enjoying the greatest of times domestically face off. 

Benfica have recently been beaten by arch rivals Sporting in both league and cup, whilst Marseille are reeling after successive Ligue 1 defeats to PSG and Lille. Football betting analyst Steve Wyss previews the match looking for the best value. 

• Benfica vs Marseille Tip 1: Benfica to Win
• Benfica vs Marseille Tip 2: Over 2.75 Goals
• Benfica vs Marseille Tip 3: Angel Di Maria to Score Anytime

Benfica vs Marseille Prediction 1: Benfica can turn the screw on struggling OM

UEFA Europa League, Thursday 11th April, 20:00 (UK)

These two teams are arguably the weakest sides remaining in the Europa League this season, and both happened to get each other in the draw. Benfica’s route to this stage has come via the Champions League, in which they were upset by Inter and, at the time, a strong Real Sociedad outfit. Benfica are second in the Portuguese league right now, but that is no disgrace because Sporting are playing some excellent football. Benfica can fully focus on this Europa League and know they need to take a first-leg advantage. It’s a worry they failed to beat Rangers here and only just laboured past Toulouse, but this looks like an excellent time to face Marseille.

The French visitors have endured a difficult campaign. They enjoyed a honeymoon period under the new management of Jean-Louis Gasset, but that looks to have ended now, and they’ve lost four straight games. OM only beat the likes of Clermont, Montpellier and a struggling Villarreal during that improved spell anyway. As soon as they face any team of significant quality, they struggle. Benfica look overpriced to win the first leg. They’ll be keen to take an advantage back to France and are the better team overall, so I’m happy to back them straight on the nose. 

• Benfica vs Marseille Prediction 1: Benfica to Win (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.85
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Benfica vs Marseille Prediction odds via bet365 as at 01:00, April 8th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Benfica vs Marseille Prediction 2: Goals should flow with two untrustworthy defenses

This is definitely a decent opportunity for both teams to progress into the semi-finals of the Europa League. I don’t think either side will fear the other, so in theory, this should lead to quite an open game of football. I am not convinced that either team has the defensive resilience to grind out results either. Benfica have failed to keep a clean sheet at home in Europe this season and the likes of Rangers bagged a brace vs them in the previous round. Toulouse came here and gave a good account of themselves and Marseille do have weapons such as Aubameyang to lean on.

With Marseille probably likely to net in this game, then over 2.75 goals looks like a bet worth backing. Since Jean-Louis Gasset took over then, every single OM match has contained at least two goals, and in many instances, that figure has been much higher. With players like Jonathan Clauss ruled out and Chancel Mbemba not 100%, then Benfica must fancy their chances of landing multiple blows against this backline. It feels like an ‘Overs’ type of contest, and taking the 2.75 goal line offers a bigger piece to get stuck into. 

• Benfica vs Marseille Prediction 2: Over 2.75 Goals (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.01
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 6/10

Benfica vs Marseille Prediction odds via bet365 as at 01:00, April 8th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Benfica vs Marseille Prediction 3: Experienced technician can strike for the hosts

Argentinian playmaker Angel Di Maria is now 36 years old but is still performing at a decent level. He’s combined to score or assist nearly 30 times this year across all competitions and remains a brilliant technician who merits respect. If Benfica gets on the scoresheet multiple times, then you’ve got to believe he will have some sort of involvement. The odds of 3.40 look too big in a home match where they are a clear favourite. 

Di Maria scored both goals here when they beat Toulouse in the playoff round, and he also netted vs Rangers. He is a man who probably still enjoys the limelight and raises his game for the bigger occasion. There is also a good chance that he will be on penalty-taking duty. He’s taken 5 of the last seven spot kicks for Benfica and netted on four occasions. This Marseille defence will give up chances, and I’m sure this Argentine legend will get the opportunity to deliver anytime at a big price. 

• Benfica vs Marseille Prediction 3: Angel Di Maria to Score Anytime (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 3.40
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 3/10

Benfica vs Marseille Prediction odds via bet365 as at 01:00, April 8th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Benfica vs MarseilleB Team News and Possible Lineups: Mbemba should be back for OM

Benfica are likely to be at full strength for this match and have a squad in healthy condition. Pape Gueye and Ulisses Garcia are not registered to play for Marseille. 

OM have injury doubts to attacker Ismaila Sarr along with right back Jonathan Clauss. Key man at the back Chancel Mbemba was rested against Lille, but should return to the lineup here. 

Benfica possible starting lineup:
Trubin, Aursnes, Otamendi, Antonio Silva, Bah, Florentino, Neves, David Neres, Rafa Silva, Di Maria, Joao Mario

Marseille possible starting lineup:
Lopez, Merlin, Balerdi, Gigot, Mbemba, Veretout, Kondogbia, Ounahi, Harit, Aubameyang, Luis Henrique

Match Stats: Marseille losing streak at the wrong time

• This is the first competitive meeting between the two sides for over 14 years, when Benfica beat OM over 2 legs in this competition
• Benfica have not kept a clean sheet at home in Europe this season
• New Marseille manager Jean-Louis Gasset won his first five games in charge but has now lost four consecutively
• The last nine matches for Marseille in all competitions have ended with at least two goals in them

Benfica Fixtures: Time running out to catch Sporting

• Vs Moreirense (H)
• Vs Marseille (A)
• Vs Farense (A)
• Vs Braga (H)
• Vs Famalicao (A)

Marseille Fixtures: Full week to prepare for the 2nd leg

• Vs Benfica (H)
• Vs Toulouse (A)
• Vs Nice (H)
• Vs Lens (H)
• Vs Reims (A)

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