Marseille vs Benfica Prediction & Betting Tips (18 April)

Before the first leg there had already been two duels in the round of 16 of the 2010 Europa League. After a 1-1 draw in the first leg in Portugal, Benfica won 2-1 away in Marseille.

Two games before that took place in 1990, each team won one of them.

While there is a chance to see the important winger Ismaïla Sarr and the French full-back Clauss in this match for OM, several important elements are still missing on the Marseille side. We think of midfielder Valentin Rongier, the young Moroccan Nadir (5 appearances in L1 with the Marseille club) and the full-back Meïté. Out injured during the first leg, full-back Merlin will probably not be available for this match either. Finally, midfielder Pape Gueye and winter recruit Ulysses Garcia are not qualified. On the other hand, the Olympians count in their ranks the Europa League top scorer Aubameyang, who scored his 10th goal in the competition last week to reduce the score. The Gabonese, on the other hand, is the only one to shine offensively this season.

On the Benfica side, the former Parisian Angel Di Maria is still at an excellent level despite his 36 years. The Argentinian scored his 16th goal of the season in all competitions this year, his 4th in just 5 matches in the competition. His ex-teammate at PSG, left-back Juan Bernat should be absent again for this trip to the Vélodrome while defender Araujo was injured in the league this weekend and he could be missing. Also very prominent this year, experienced midfielder Rafa Silva (12 goals, 11 assists in the league), who is having the best season of his career, scored the other Portuguese goal in the first leg. He will be there just like winter recruit Marcos Leonardo (5 goals with the Portuguese club) who is making a good debut with his new club.