Monaco takes on Benfica on November 27, 2024, in what promises to be an exciting match. The hosts have been the surprise package of the tournament, exceeding expectations, while Benfica, after a strong start, has struggled to maintain their momentum. With both teams fighting for crucial points, this match is set to be a closely contested battle.
Monaco Team News
In a surprising turn, Monaco find themselves in third place after Matchday 4 of the Champions League. An impressive run has seen the French side win 3 of their 4 league phase games, with a draw in the other. Monaco has been clinical in front of goal, scoring in every match so far, and only failing to net at least twice in their most recent fixture against Bologna. However, while attacking seems easy for Monaco, their defence has been leaky, with just one clean sheet to their name. As hosts, Les Monégasques have suffered only one defeat across all competitions this season, making Stade Louis II a tough venue for visiting teams.
Benfica Team News
Benfica made a strong start to their Champions League campaign, winning their first two matches, but then suffered back-to-back defeats. While a loss to Bayern in Germany was expected, their 1-3 home defeat to Feyenoord was disappointing. Despite this, Benfica still have a solid chance to qualify for the knockout stages and is within reach of the top 8. Statistically, Benfica’s performances mirror Monaco’s in many ways – three of their four games have seen over 2.5 goals, and they’ve kept just one clean sheet. However, unlike Monaco, Benfica failed to score in their loss to Bayern Munich which means they are 3/4 on that front.
Head-to-Head-Games
Monaco and Benfica have met three times before, with the most recent encounters dating back to the 2014 Champions League group stage. Both teams were in the same group and scored just one goal across their two meetings. The match in France ended in a goalless 0-0 draw, while Benfica won 1-0 in Portugal.
Monaco – Benfica Betting Prediction
Both Monaco and Benfica share similar patterns in their Champions League campaigns. Their matches often see over 2.5 goals, as both teams are prolific in attack but vulnerable at the back. While their previous head-to-head suggests a low-scoring affair, it’s important to note that their last meeting was in 2014, a decade ago. Given their current form, this is likely to be a high-scoring game. Monaco has thrived at home, with 3 of their last 5 competitive matches seeing over 2.5 goals. Similarly, 4 of Benfica’s last 5 competitive games have surpassed the 2.5-goal mark. Considering all factors, my pick for this match is over 2.5 goals.
Betting Tip: Over 2.5 Goals
Bookmaker: Sportsbet.io
Odds: 1.74
Sportsbet.io
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