SL Benfica vs. OGC Nice: Champions League Qualifying Match Preview & Prediction

SL Benfica hosts OGC Nice for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League qualifier, holding a commanding 2-0 lead. The Portuguese giants demonstrated their strength in the first match in France and now look to seal the deal at their fortress, the Estádio da Luz. Football fans are eagerly anticipating this clash, and our Benfica vs Nice prediction points towards a dominant performance from the home side.

Team News: How They’re Shaping Up

SL Benfica: Flying High with Confidence

Benfica enters this crucial match in spectacular form. The team has won four of its last five games and looks sharp and ready. After a solid 2-0 away victory, manager Bruno Lage will likely field a strong squad. New signing Richard Rios is expected to make his home debut, adding fresh energy to the midfield. Upfront, the in-form Vangelis Pavlidis leads the attack, aiming to add to his goal tally. With a solid defense that kept a clean sheet in the first leg, Benfica’s confidence is sky-high.

OGC Nice: A Mountain to Climb

For OGC Nice, this is a do-or-die situation. Manager Franck Haise knows his team must attack from the first whistle to have any hope of overturning the two-goal deficit. This attacking approach could leave them vulnerable at the back. Nice has shown inconsistent form recently, and playing away against a powerhouse like Benfica presents a massive challenge. They need their key players to step up and deliver a flawless performance.

Head-to-Head & Predicted Lineups

History favors the Portuguese side. Benfica has won their previous encounters against Nice in European competitions, giving them a psychological edge.

Benfica Predicted Lineup (4-4-2):
Trubin; Dedic, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Aursnes, Rios, Barrenechea, Schjelderup; Pavlidis, Ivanovic

Nice Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1):
Boulhendi; Mendy, Bombito, Dante; Clauss, Boudaoui, Sanson, Bard; Bouanani, Guessand; Jansson

Benfica vs Nice Prediction and Betting Tips

Given their current form, home advantage, and first-leg lead, our Benfica vs Nice prediction is a comfortable win for Benfica. They control the tie and have the quality to score more goals.

Top Bet: Benfica to Win. The team is in great shape and should secure another victory.

Correct Score Tip: A 2-0 win for Benfica seems likely, mirroring the first-leg result.

Betting Tip: Consider “Both Teams to Score – No.” Benfica’s defense has been solid, and they may well keep another clean sheet.

Kick-off time is scheduled for 20:00 GMT. You can watch the match on Arena Sport 2P the Champions League qualifiers. Check your local listings for channel details.