The Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica will be the venue for the clash between the Primeira Liga side Benfica and the Ligue 1 side Toulouse on Thursday in the Europa League knockout stage first leg match-up, with kickoff slated for 20:00 GMT.
Key Highlights
Benfica’s Fine Domestic Form Heading into the Clash with Toulouse
This is the first time Benfica and Toulouse will face each other in a competitive fixture.
Benfica are the football pick favorites going into this match, having won 16 more home games in European competition against French opponents without suffering defeat, winning 11 and drawing five times.
Benfica also go into this match in a good run of form that has seen them top the Primeira Liga with 52 points, level with second-place Sporting. They have won four out of their last five matches, drawing the other.
Bet hereThe focus for Benfica will be to win the home leg on Thursday and take the lead to the away leg at Toulouse next week.
Toulouse’s Inconsistency a Worry Ahead of Trip to Benfica
Toulouse have won twice and lost three times in their last five outings in Ligue 1 as their form has continued to ebb and flow this season.
Their lack of consistency is highlighted by the fact that Toulouse find themselves 14th on the Ligue 1 table, with 20 points after 21 rounds of fixtures.
The Ligue 1 side are three points from the drop zone and 18 points away from third-placed Monaco, who occupy the last Champions League place in the French Ligue 1.
Free football predictions on 22bet show that Toulouse will have to alter the trajectory of their form soon to stand a chance of getting something from the away leg at Benfica and overcoming the Primeira Liga leaders over two legs.
Injury Report
Left-back Juan Bernat is sidelined with an inflammation of the pubic bone; the 30-year-old is the only absentee for Benfica ahead of their home clash against Toulouse.
Toulouse will miss the services of right winger Zakaria Aboukhlal. The 23-year-old is recuperating from knee surgery and is unlikely to be available for the trip to Portugal to face Benfica.
Prediction
Expert soccer predictions show that Benfica are the favorites to win the match. They have the quality, form, and confidence to win the match and take a lead to Toulouse next week.
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