Arsenal and Benfica will square up in the second leg of their Europa League tie this Thursday as both teams eye place in the next round after their 1-1 draw last week at Rome.
Stadium: Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium
Key Statistics
- Arsenal have won just once in their last six competitive games. But they are unbeaten in five European games against Portuguese teams (W2, D3).
- The Gunners like their visitors are unbeaten in this season’s Europa League competition.
- Benfica have won just four of their last 22 European matches played on foreign soil.
Arsenal
Despite a poor form in the domestic league, Arsenal have been one of the best performers in the Europa League this season, finishing the group stage with six wins from six games.
But their league form was on show in their last game against Benfica as they failed to break down their hosts despite controlling much of the ball.
Although they head into this game with a precious away goal, their recent performances do not suggest that Mikel Arteta’s men are favourite for this tie.
They head into this game with one win from their last six games (D2, L3) and are still in danger of elimination should Benfica turn up the heat on them. Only a win or a scoreless draw will allow them to pass to the next stage.
Possible Arsenal line-ups
Bernd Leno; Kieran Tierney, David Luiz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Hector Bellerin; Granit Xhaka, Dani Ceballos; Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Martin Odegaard; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Benfica
The Portuguese side have been inconsistent in the Europa League this season, but they remain a team to beat.
They head into this tie on the disadvantage because of Arsenal’s away goal advantage. But they are no pushovers and will fancy their chances against this Arsenal team lacking in confidence.
However, their form in recent meetings does not inspire confidence as they have drawn their last three competitive matches. They remain unbeaten in the last six competitive matches (W3, D3) and could still exit the tournament even if they don’t lose in Greece.
Possible Benfica line-ups
Odysseas Vlachodimos; Alex Grimaldo, Nicolas Otamendi, Jan Vertonghen, Gilberto; Rafa Silva, Adel Taarabt, Julian Weigl, Pizzi; Darwin Nunez, Haris Seferovic
Betting Odds
Arsenal : Draw : Benfica :: 1.80 : 3.80 : 4.20
Prediction
Arsenal 2—2 Benfica
