Salzburg – Benfica : Preview & Prediction
FC Salzburg have played European competition after Christmas for the past six seasons, and the equation is simple if they are to extend that streak. If the Austrian side can earn at least a draw in their final group game in the UEFA Champions League (UCL), they will qualify for the UEFA Europa League (UEL) playoff knockout round, despite recording just one win in five matches (E1, P3).
If Gerhard Struber’s side, who won 1-0 against Rapid Vienna in the league competition on Saturday, are looking for extra motivation, they can perhaps recall that their only UCL win came against Benfica with a solid 2-0 scoreline in September. However, their recent home results have been inconsistent, recording just three wins in their last seven league and cup games (P4) at the Red Bull Arena, where they have 13 draws in all competitions since April this year.
That could well change against visiting Benfica, who are on a run of three consecutive draws after Friday’s 1-1 draw against Farense. That increased the pressure on coach Roger Schmidt, but it does not appear that the club’s board is thinking of making a change in the dugout anytime soon, after president Rui Costa declared “this is the coach who will continue at Benfica.”
Much of the tension stems from the Eagles’ poor UCL campaign, with last season’s quarter-finalists having taken just one point from five games (E1, P4). Despite this, their hopes of reaching the UEL playoff round remain high, as, should they win by a margin of more than two goals, they would overtake Salzburg and take third place thanks to a better head-to-head record.
Players to watch: Karim Konaté led Salzburg to victories in his last seven goalscoring appearances this season. Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin could try to thwart the Austrian side, although he has not kept a clean sheet in any of his last 18 games in European soccer, allowing 40 goals in that span.
Key stat: Both teams have scored in just one of Salzburg’s last nine home games.
Salzburg – Benfica : Betting Tips
Salzburg – Win Odds: 2.85
