Benfica vs Monaco Preview: Team News & Prediction
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The first-leg of this UEFA Champions League knockout playoff round tie at Stade Louis II last week saw Benfica defeat Monaco by a goal to nil as they now face off in Lisbon this week.
Kick-off date/time: Tuesday 18th December, 2025: UK – 8:00pm / US ET – 3:00pm / US PT – 12:00pm
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Benfica Preview: Focus on Europe
Former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Bruno Lage has been left frustrated at times this season as Benfica throw away results and struggle to keep up with city rivals Sporting CP at the top-of-the-table in the Portuguese Primeira Liga but they come into this one in improved form.
The capital city club defeated Santa Clara by a goal to nil at Estadio de Sao Miguel at the weekend thanks to a 55th minute winner via former Portugal international Bruma. The home team have now enjoyed five successive victories across all competitions.
Monaco Preview: Monaco have fallen
In the first-leg of this tie last week in the principality of Monaco, Benfica won by a goal to nil with Greece international Vangelis Pavlidis scoring in the 48th minute before Monaco’s defensive midfield winter transfer window signing Al Musrati was sent off a few minutes later.
The Monegasque recovered at the weekend by annihilating Nantes by seven goals to one with Mika Biereth notching a hat-trick in that match. Their average and inconsistent form that has basically ruined their season has been going on since around November, though.
Benfica Team News: No Di Maria
Former Argentina international attacker Angel Di Maria is expected to miss this second-leg due to a muscle injury with other confirmed injury issues including new signing Manu Silva, whilst midfielder Florentino Luis is unavailable due to suspension.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Trubin; Sahl, A. Silva, Otamendi, Carreras; Aursnes, Felix, Kokcu; Akrturkoglu, Pavlidis, Schjelderup
Unavailable: T. Araujo (Injured), Bah (Injured), Luis (Suspended), M. Silva (Injured), Di Maria (Injured)
Questionable: H. Araujo (Injured), Aursnes (Injured)
Monaco Team News: Key suspensions
Monaco are dealing with three suspension issues for this one as the aforementioned Al Musrati is now unavailable alongside both Vanderson and Denis Zakaria. They also have a couple of key injury issues, too, such as Wilfried Singo and Aleksandr Golovin.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Majecki; Ouattara, Kehrer, Salisu, Diatta; Magassa, Camara; Akliouche, Embolo, Minamino; Biereth
Unavailable: Teze (Injured), Singo (Injured), Vanderson (Suspended), Al Musrati (Suspended), Zakaria (Suspended), Golovin (Injured), Balogun (Injured)
Questionable:
Benfica vs Monaco Prediction
Benfica and Monaco are dealing with quite a few injury issues and neither of the two sides and sets of coaching staff will be overly pleased as they face off against each other at Estadio da Luz. Benfica have been quite attacking to watch throughout the campaign as they now prepare to take on a Monaco side that will have to likely go all out attack due to their key absentees in defence and defensive midfield. Both teams scoring, therefore, seems a good bet for this one.
Benfica vs Monaco Tip: Both teams to score
