The first play-off match of the 2024/25 Champions League between Monaco (France) and Benfica (Portugal) will take place on February 12 at the Louis II Stadium in Fontvieille. Monaco vs. Benfica: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Monaco
Monaco seemed unfazed by their long absence from the Champions League: the team confidently started the main stage, remaining unbeaten in four matches (3 wins, 1 draw). However, three defeats in the remaining four fixtures led Adi Hütter's men to 17th place in the standings. Nevertheless, the club stood out by having an equal number of goals scored and conceded – 13:13 – at the end of the main round. Notably, in their last two seasons in the Champions League, the team failed to progress beyond the group stage.
Defender Christian Mavissa Elebi will miss the match due to suspension. Defender Wilfried Singo and forward Folarin Balogun are unavailable due to injuries. Defender Jordan Teze has been removed from the Champions League squad.
- At least one opponent failed to score in 4 of Monaco's last 5 matches in the main European tournament.
- The club has not lost at home in 5 of their last 7 Champions League games (4 wins, 1 draw).
- The number "1" appeared in the final score in 6 of Monaco's last 7 home matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Monaco (4-5-1)
Radoslaw Majecki – Vanderson, Thilo Kehrer, Mohammed Salisu, Caio Henrique – Denis Zakaria, Takumi Minamino, Eliesse Ben Seghir, Maghnes Akliouche, Lamine Camara – Mika Biereth.
Benfica
Bruno Lage's side finished one spot higher than their upcoming opponents. The Portuguese team remained unbeaten in 5 of 8 matches in the overall stage (4 wins, 1 draw), including a victory over Monaco. Notably, Benfica earned 9 of their 13 points away from home, ranking fifth in the Champions League based on away results. In the previous tournament, the team finished third in their group.
Midfielders Renato Sanches, Manu Silva, defenders Alexander Bah, and forward Tiago Gouveia will miss the match due to injuries.
- The Portuguese team scored at least two goals in 4 of their last 5 away matches in the Champions League.
- In 5 of their last 7 away games in the Champions League, Benfica conceded no more than one goal.
- The team has not drawn in 7 consecutive away matches in this tournament (4 wins, 3 losses).
Predicted lineup for Benfica (4-3-3)
Anatoliy Trubin – Antonio Silva, Álvaro Carreras, Tomás Araújo, Nicolás Otamendi – Fredrik Aursnes, Florentino, Orkun Kökçü – Andreas Schjelderup, Vangelis Pavlidis, Kerem Akturkoglu.
Referee
Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
Matches – 8 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 35;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.4;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 50%.
Monaco vs. Benfica: Match Prediction
The first encounter between these opponents in this Champions League was high-scoring. Monaco lost 2-3 at home to the Portuguese side, and the desire for revenge will serve as an additional motivation for the hosts in the upcoming match. That defeat is Monaco's only home loss in their last five Champions League matches (3 wins, 1 draw). However, it's worth noting that they have kept a clean sheet only once in this stretch. Moreover, Monaco has conceded in 16 of their last 17 home matches in this tournament.
Benfica is not shy about attacking even in away matches. As a result, the Portuguese side has scored in 5 of their last 6 away Champions League matches, but they have kept a clean sheet only once in this period. With such defensive stats, it will be challenging to contain an opponent's attack that has scored in 9 of their last 11 Champions League matches.
My prediction: Both teams to score – yes
