Verdict: Arthur Cabral to attain anytime
Greatest Odds: 8/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Seeking to declare a Europa League first-leg benefit on Thursday evening, Benfica will welcome Toulouse to the Estadio da Luz.
Benfica
Beginning with the hosts, whereas Benfica might need been disenchanted final weekend as they ultimately needed to accept a 2-2 stalemate away at Guimaraes, the Portuguese giants are having fun with one other prolonged flurry. Making home historical past final season as they acquired their arms on a primary home crown since 2019, the Eagles have misplaced simply one in all their earlier 18 straight appearances throughout all competitions. With that eye-catching purple patch stemming all the way in which again to earlier than November’s worldwide break, Roger Schmidt’s males have additionally continued to shine with their performances on residence soil. Final seen on the Estadio da Luz cruising their technique to a routine 3-0 victory towards Gil Vicente, the defending Primera Liga champions have gained six of their earlier seven contests in entrance of their very own supporters.
Group Information
Nonetheless coping with a long-term muscle harm and never making a single look throughout any competitors because the finish of October, Benfica will as soon as once more be unable to name upon former PSG defender Juan Bernat on Thursday evening. Nonetheless, other than the Spanish worldwide, the Eagles have reported a clear invoice of well being heading into their first-leg showdown.
Discovering the web towards Guimaraes final weekend and now getting on the scoresheet in all of his earlier 4 appearances on the bounce, ex-Fiorentina striker Arthur Cabral will spearhead Benfica’s cost right here. Former Actual Madrid famous person Angel Di Maria will companion Cabral within the closing third.
Toulouse
As for the guests, though Toulouse might need opened February with a much-needed 4-2 victory towards Reims, the Violets got here crashing again right down to earth final weekend. Ultimately falling to a 2-1 defeat by the hands of Nantes, Carles Martinez Novell’s males discover themselves on the coronary heart of a Ligue 1 relegation scrap. Holding only a one-point buffer from slipping into the drop zone, the previous Barcelona coach seems to have some mounting strain on his shoulders. Crashing out of the Coupe de France final month following a shock penalties defeat towards third-tier outfit Rouen, Toulouse have continued to battle with their consistency this season. Though the French outfit may be determined to spring a heavyweight Europa League upset over the subsequent fortnight, Novell’s facet are rightfully tipped as an actual underdog contender right here.
Group Information
All nonetheless coping with respective harm points, Toulouse will journey to Portugal with out the likes of Zakaria Aboukhlal, Danis Genreau and 20-year-old starlet Kevin Keben on Thursday evening. Nonetheless, coming back from this month’s Africa Cup of Nations, Mali worldwide Moussa Diarra may make a primary look since again on January third.
Bagging a comfort strike towards Nantes over the weekend and discovering the web in back-to-back home appearances, former Excelsior striker Thijs Dallinga will spearhead Toulouse’s cost in Portugal. Ex-Werder Bremen star Niklas Schmidt will companion Vincent Sieroo on the coronary heart of Novell’s midfield.
Key Components to Take into account
- Benfica have misplaced simply one in all their 18 straight appearances throughout all competitions since coming back from November’s worldwide break.
- Likewise, the Eagles have gained six of their earlier seven showdowns on the Estadio da Luz.
- Brazil worldwide Arthur Cabral has discovered the web in all of his earlier 4 appearances on the bounce.
- Toulouse have misplaced three of their earlier 4 home appearances throughout all codecs.
- The Violets have recorded simply two clear sheets from their final 14 showdowns away from the Stadium de Toulouse.
Conclusion
Whereas Benfica might need ultimately missed out on the prospect to e-book a Champions League knockout stage ticket in December, the Portuguese icons are having fun with an prolonged flurry. Struggling only a single defeat throughout any competitors since coming back from November’s worldwide break, Thursday’s hosts ought to be smelling an actual alternative right here. With Toulouse on the coronary heart of a Ligue 1 relegation scrap this season, Benfica’s free-scoring assault will probably be seeking to make a first-leg assertion on residence soil.
Verdict: Arthur Cabral to attain anytime
Greatest Odds: 8/5
Bookmaker: Dachbet
