Benfica vs Marseille Preview & Prediction | 2023-24 UEFA Europa League | Quarter-Final
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THE FACTS
When is Benfica vs Marseille on and what time does it start? Benfica vs Marseille will take place on Thursday 11th April, 2024 – 20:00 (UK)
Where can I get tickets for Benfica vs Marseille? Visit each club’s official website for the latest ticket information
What channel is Benfica vs Marseille on in the UK? Benfica vs Marseille will be televised on TNT Sports in the UK
Where can I stream Benfica vs Marseille in the UK? Benfica vs Marseille can be streamed live on discovery+
THE KEY STATS
- Benfica are in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League for the sixth time, more than any other club.
- This is Benfica’s 33rd UEFA competition quarter-final – only 4 clubs have more (Real Madrid, Bayern, Barcelona).
- Benfica have won only three of their last 13 UEFA competition quarter-final ties. They have lost four in a row since reaching the Europa League final in 2013/14, when they beat AZ Alkmaar in the last eight (1-0 a, 2-0 h).
- Benfica have won the first leg in seven of their previous eight UEFA Cup/Europa League quarter-final ties. They have won the first leg in all their five quarter-final ties in the Europa League era.
- Benfica are unbeaten in their previous 17 UEFA competition matches at home against French teams (W12 D5).
- Benfica have won their previous four UEFA Europa League two-legged ties against French teams. Including a 3-2 aggregate victory against Marseille in the 2009/10 round of 16 (1-1 h, 2-1 a).
- Benfica won both previous UEFA competition ties between these two teams. A 3-2 aggregate victory in the 2009/10 round of 16 (1-1 h, 2-1 a) and a triumph on away goals in the semi-finals of the 1989/90 European Cup (1-2 a, 1-0 h).
- Benfica are unbeaten in their last six UEFA competition matches (W3 D3).
- Benfica are unbeaten in their own stadium in the UEFA Europa League (group stage to final) P27 W21 D6. If the 1-1 draw in the ‘home’ match against Arsenal in Rome in the 2020/21 round of 32 is included they are unbeaten in all 28 home matches in the UEFA Europa League (group stage to final) P28 W21 D7.
- Benfica have scored two or more goals in 20 of their last 22 UEFA Europa League matches in their own stadium.
- This is Marseille’s fifth UEFA Cup/Europa League quarter-final appearance – more than any other French club (Auxerre and Lyon both have four).
- Marseille are through to the Europa League quarter-finals for the first time since 2017/18, the year they were runners-up to Atlético de Madrid.
- Marseille have won three of their previous four UEFA Cup/Europa League quarter-final ties.
- Marseille have lost only two of their previous nine UEFA competition quarter-final ties.
- Marseille have won their last six two-legged ties in the UEFA Europa League knockout rounds.
- Marseille have won the first leg in five of their previous nine UEFA competition quarter-final ties (D1 L3).
- Marseille have only failed to score in one of their last 11 UEFA competition matches.
- Marseille have won only two of their last ten UEFA competition matches away from home.
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is the all-time top scorer in the Europa League with 33 goals, three ahead of Radamel Falcao. Aubameyang is also leading scorer in this season's competition with nine goals.
THE PREDICTION
There is a chance this one is ridiculously entertaining for the neutral. Roger Schmidt remains under pressure in Lisbon with his Benfica side underperforming throughout this season and they come into this one on the back of being knocked out of the Taca de Portugal in the semi-finals by city rivals Sporting and then losing what may well prove to be a title decider against Sporting at the weekend. That makes this game against an Olympique de Marseille side that began the Jean-Louis Gasset reign in late-February impressively an almost must win. Marseille do did start the Gasset era well but their 3-1 loss to Lille at the weekend was their third successive loss and the pressure on Benfica, combined with their home advantage, does mean backing the Portuguese giants appears a good bet for this one as they aim for a reaction.
TIP: DOUBLE CHANCE – BENFICA TO WIN OR DRAW
