Monaco v Benfica

Monaco vs Benfica Preview

Monaco slipped to a second defeat in three games last time out in the French top flight when they were dealt a heavy and comprehensive 4-1 loss away from home at PSG and although Monaco now return to the home surroundings of their Stade Louis-II for this upcoming 1st leg of their Champions League play-off on Wednesday night, the French club face tough opposition from Portugal.

Benfica collected a third win on the trot in all competitions over the weekend when they registered a 3-2 home win against Moreirense in the Portuguese top flight which maintained their position of second place in the domestic Primeira Liga and this result will no doubt give the visitors a welcome boost ahead of this 1st leg tie on Wednesday night.

That heavy defeat in Paris against PSG has resulted in Monaco dropping down the French Ligue 1 table to fourth place but Adi Hütter's side will now turn their attentions to the vitally important task of gaining a lead in this 1st leg tie of the Champions League play-offs.

However, this may be easier said than done as Monaco have managed to capture just four wins within their previous 13 matches in all competitions but on a positive note, three of these four wins were achieved on home soil at the Stade Louis-II with victories gained over Aston Villa (Champions League), Rennes and Auxerre (Ligue 1).

Seven of Monaco's last 10 games overall have also resulted in both teams scoring. Benfica will head into this 1st leg tie on Wednesday night looking to make it four wins on the trot in all competitions following a 2-0 win away from home at Juventus in the Champions League, along with having collected back-to-back wins against Estrela and Moreirense in the Portuguese top flight.

The Portuguese visitors have registered seven wins within their previous nine games in all competitions and it is interesting to note that four of these seven victories have also been captured on their travels with wins recorded at Sporting Lisbon, Farense, Juventus and Estrela respectively, thus giving Bruno Lage's side a decent chance of gaining a result at the Stade Louis-II on Wednesday night.

The wider picture shows Benfica have suffered just three defeats in their previous 16 outings on the road in all competitions whilst picking up 11 wins in the process, but goals also look likely at both ends of the pitch as well.

Indeed, no fewer than seven out of Benfica's last 10 matches across all competitions have resulted in both teams scoring.

Monaco v Benfica Verdict

In what is expected to be a closely fought encounter at the Stade Louis-II on Wednesday night, the prospect of both teams scoring here looks reasonable.

Therefore, our main bet will be BTTS Yes @ 1.57

Other side bets worth considering:

Draw @ 3.50

Correct Score: 1-1 @ 7.00