Marseille v Benfica

Marseille vs Benfica Preview

Marseille were handed a 2-1 defeat away from home at Thursday night's opponents Benfica in last week's 1st leg tie in Portugal which has not only given the French hosts a tough task of turning over this 2-1 deficit in the return leg of this quarter-final tie in the Europa League, but it also became a fifth defeat on the trot for Marseille as well, while Benfica registered a second win on the trot in the Portuguese top flight with a 3-0 home win against Moreirense on the weekend.

Marseille had previously stumbled to losses at the hands of Villarreal, Rennes, PSG and Lille prior to last week's disappointing 2-1 loss to Benfica but the hosts now return to their Orange Vélodrome for Thursday night's return leg which gives them a chance of a result here.

The hosts had lost four of their five defeats away from home but beforehand, Marseille had racked up five wins on the trot with four of these five wins being registered on home soil at their Orange Vélodrome with victories gained over Shakhtar Donetsk, Montpellier, Villarreal and Nantes.

Goals could also feature in this 2nd leg tie as seven of Marseille's last 10 matches in all competitions have resulted in Over 2.5 goals.

Benfica head into this upcoming return leg in France looking set for further success as the Portuguese club not only bring a 2-1 lead into this 2nd leg but the visitors have also won their last two games on the trot with victories gained over Marseille and Moreirense respectively.

Roger Schmidt's side are currently enjoying a successful and positive sequence of results as they have won six of their last eight matches in all competitions which includes wins on the road at Rangers (in the Round of last 16 in the Europa League) and Casa Pia in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.

The bigger picture shows Benfica have lost just three out of their last 19 matches in all competitions whilst collecting 12 wins in the process but the potential thorn in Benfica's side (and our betting options) is that all of these three losses were incurred on their travels thus casting some doubt as to whether Schmidt's side are capable of grinding out a win at the Orange Vélodrome on Thursday night.

Indeed, Benfica have managed to capture just two wins from their previous seven outings in all competitions but the goals market appeals again where Benfica are concerned as seven of Benfica's last 10 away games have also resulted in Over 2.5 goals.

Marseille v Benfica Verdict

An early goal for Marseille would make things interesting in this return leg and further goals look likely as these two sides thrash it out for supremacy.

Therefore, our main bet will be Over 2.5 goals @ 1.66

Other side bets worth considering:

Over 2.5 goals & BTTS Yes @ 1.95

Correct Score: Draw @ 3.50