Europa League Betting: Benfica v Marseille

Europa League / Richard Aikman / 10 March 2010 / Leave a Comment

Óscar Cardozo celebrates another goal for Benfica

"Aside from leading the Portuguese standings by three points and being on course for a first title in five years, Jorge Jesus' side have a goal difference that is 28 goals better off than their nearest rivals - and if the concern is that domestic form doesn't translate onto the European stage then tell that to Hertha Berln, who were crushed 4-0 at the Estadio Da Luz last time out."

Both teams are in very good form domestically but the Portuguese are defending an especially fine home record and Richard Aikman doesn't see that coming to an end on Thursday night

This is a clash between two sides who last met in the European Cup semi-final two decades ago - and, like that 1990 encounter, Benfica can be expected to edge out their French visitors once again.

With both sides still in contention for domestic titles each will fancy their chances of reaching the quarter-finals at the other's expense but Benfica's home advantage and rude health makes them worthy [2.02] favourites to come through the first leg on top.

Although the Portuguese League is undoubtedly weaker than Ligue 1, there is little to choose between two sides who regularly appear in Champions League competition. Marseille [4.4] are only out of the European Cup reckoning because they were in a group containing Real Madrid and AC Milan and they certainly gave the Rossoneri a run for their money in both group matches (1-2 and 1-1).

Lying just three points of the league summit, OM are enjoying a strong domestic campaign and are second top scorers in the division. Before their disappointing 1-1 draw with Lorient at the weekend, when top scorer Mamadou Niang registered his 15th goal of the campaign, Didier Deschamps' outfit had scored three times in each of their previous four matches. Add to that stat a run of 12 matches oin which only twice have there been less than three goals scored and a high-scoring match looks likely.

Benfica are faring particularly well this term and are not shot-shy themselves. Aside from leading the Portuguese standings by three points and being on course for a first title in five years, Jorge Jesus' side have a goal difference that is 28 goals better off than their nearest rivals - and if the concern is that domestic form doesn't translate onto the European stage then tell that to Hertha Berln, who were crushed 4-0 at the Estadio Da Luz last time out. In fact, Benfica's home record in Europe reads for 17, against 1.

Óscar Cardozo is in especially good touch, and is the Europa League's second highest goalscorer this season with six goals, while Ángel Di María has set up as many since the start of the group stage. The Lisbon side will hope the absence though injury of OM full-back Gabriel Heinze will strengthen their cause further so take the Eagles to soar in Lisbon.
Best Bets: Back Benfica to win @ [2.02]; Back over 2.5 goals @ [2.26]