Olympique Marseille vs Benfica Match Preview
Two of the UEFA Europa League’s most established sides in Olympique Marseille and SL Benfica will meet at the Stade Vélodrome as the home side will look to overturn a 2-1 deficit from last week.
Marseille did not play a domestic match in Ligue 1 last weekend, as the three French clubs still left in Europe all had their matches postponed. Whether this will be of advantage to OM remains to be seen.
The French side will look to end a five-game losing streak in all competitions, where they only scored three times in that run. They last went past this round in the Europa League six years ago, where they lost in the final to Atlético Madrid. However, Marseille can take comfort in that they have not lost at home in Europe this term, winning all but one of their seven games.
Benfica has looked very solid of late, with six wins in their last eight games in all competitions (6-1-1). Twice finalists in the Europa League, the Portuguese giants have made the semifinals thrice in the Europa League era, with only Sevilla (5) having more. They are in a great position to reach the final four for the first time in a decade.
Match Facts
Date: Thursday, 18 April, 2024
Kickoff Time: 21:00 CET (15:00 ET/12:00 PT)
Location: Stade Vélodrome, Marseille, France
Olympique Marseille vs Benfica Predicted Lineups
Olympique Marseille: López; Gigot, Balerdi, Mbemba; Harit, Ounahi, Kondogbia, Veretout, Ndiaye; Aubameyang, Moumbagna
Benfica: Trubin; Bah, Silva, Otamendi, Aursnes; Florentino, Neves; Di María, Rafa Silva, Neres; Tengstedt
Olympique Marseille vs Benfica Odds
| Olympique Marseille Win/To Advance | 2.37 / 3.00 |
| Draw | 3.50 |
| Benfica Win/To Advance | 2.90 / 1.36 |
| Both Teams Score Y/N | 1.57 / 2.25 |
| Over / Under 2.5 Goals | 1.72 / 2.10 |
Olympique Marseille vs Benfica Prediction
Draw at 3.50, Benfica to advance at 1.40
As Marseilla has already shown throughout the term – especially in Europe – it is not easy to win at Stade Vélodrome. However, Benfica’s away record in continental play has not been bad at all, going unbeaten in their last three. With a 9-7-3 record in their last 19 European away matches, Marseille will be in tough.
Benfica faced another Ligue 1 side in Toulouse in the Europa League’s knockout round playoffs, picking up a draw in France. It is not out of the question that the result is the same this time, as both teams know this is a big chance at a spot in a European seimfinal.
Olympique Marseille vs Benfica Tips
Under 2.5 goals at 2.10
Expect a very tight game between Marseille and Benfica, given what is on the line. Interestingly, nine of Marseille’s 11 UEL matches this term had over 2.5 goals. OM has scored at least twice in all of their Europa League home games this term.
However, expect that streak to end on Thursday night. As previously mentioned, Benfica is unbeaten in their last three continental away games. In that run, they have only conceded once, keeping clean sheets in their last two. Thus, expect a low-scoring, cagey game, where Marseille struggles to Benfica down.
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