Monaco vs Benfica predictions: Monaco to maintain top-eight challenge
- Monaco have taken 10 points from their first four games
- The hosts have won their last three in all competitions
- Recommended bet: Monaco to win
Monaco have made a superb start to the new-look Champions League, marking themselves out for an impressive run in Europe.
They switch focus away from a successful league start to Wednesday’s encounter with Benfica, with the Portuguese side having suffered a couple of setbacks in their push to qualify for the knockout stages.
Team news
Benfica won 7-0 in the cup over the weekend and took the opportunity to rotate their side on the back of the international break.
Expect the Portuguese side to offer more than on their visit to Bayern Munich, where they mustered a single shot after starting with a back five.
As for Monaco, they beat Brest 3-2 at the weekend with both Edan Diop and Folarin Balogun missing.
The Ligue 1 outfit have started in a 4-2-3-1 shape in each of their four games in this competition and they should stick with that approach.
The stats
Benfica have lost their previous two Champions League games and the Eagles have lost three of their last five away games in this competition.
At the halfway point, Monaco have the third-best record in this season’s Champions League.
The Ligue 1 side have won the Expected Goals battle in each of their four games in the Champions League this term.
Monaco have won six of their nine home matches in all competitions this season.
Prediction
Benfica made an excellent start in Europe with victories over Red Star and Atletico Madrid, but things took a turn in clashes with Feyenoord and Bayern . They lost 3-1 at home to the Dutch side, before a meek defeat in Bavaria.
They have built up some good form domestically, but this week pits them against PSG’s closest challengers in Ligue 1.
Monaco are enjoying a good campaign and they head into this clash having won each of their last three games. They have been particularly impressive in Europe, boasting the third-best record in the Champions League at the halfway mark.
They have won three of their first four games in this competition, while they fought back from 2-0 down to claim a point at Dinamo Zagreb.
The Ligue 1 outfit won 1-0 at Bologna in their last European game, while they have beaten Barcelona 2-1 and Red Star 5-1 in their two home games.
The hosts have beaten all four of their opponents in terms of Expected Goals, so their great start is fully deserved.
With that in mind you can Monaco to continue their strong start with another three points this week.
Win up to £250,000 with LiveScore 6!
Win up to £250,000 with our free-to-play game, LiveScore 6!
