Benfica – Toulouse : Preview & Prediction
Benfica’s last match in UEFA competition (3-1 against RB Salzburg) was the first of an impressive 11 wins in their last 13 official matches in all competitions, ensuring that they should go into the Europa League knockout round playoffs against Toulouse in good shape, despite a 2-2 draw in the league at the weekend. While that result against Salzburg was their only win in the Champions League group stage, it earned them passage to this stage of UEFA’s second-tier competition.
It’s still a long drop from consecutive Champions League quarter-final appearances in the previous two years and, looking further back, it was in the old Europa League round of 32 (last sixteen) that Benfica fell in the previous two seasons. But a case can be made for them gaining home advantage in this clash, as Benfica won or drew in each of their 26 home games (G21, E5) in this competition since their name change to Europa League in 2009.
Toulouse is here thanks to a second-place finish in Group E, winning in three of its six appearances (E2, P1), including a home match against group leaders Liverpool. In their return to European soccer after an absence of more than a decade, Toulouse have advanced beyond the group stage of any UEFA competition for the first time in their history, albeit at the expense of their French Cup defense and potentially even their survival in Ligue 1.
In stark contrast to their opponents, the French club won just three of nine official matches (E1, P5) since their last outing on the continental stage, which places them one point ahead of the Ligue 1 relegation playoff spot. They were also eliminated from the Coupe de France by a third-tier club, but at least managed two Europa League group stage wins on the road, which may inspire them here in the absence of a good present.
Players to watch: Since scoring just a minute after coming on as a substitute in Benfica’s last game in UEFA competition, Brazilian striker Arthur Cabral has scored in six domestic matches, including each of his last four. Toulouse striker Thijs Dallinga scored in all three away matches in the group stage, as well as the last two in Ligue 1.
Key stat: Nine of Benfica’s last 11 games have seen more than 2.5 total goals.
Benfica – Toulouse : Betting Tips
Benfica – Win Odds: 1.35
