Prediction: Benfica vs Toulouse

Verdict: Arthur Cabral to score anytime

Best Odds: 8/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Looking to claim a Europa League first-leg advantage on Thursday night, Benfica will welcome Toulouse to the Estadio da Luz.

Benfica

Starting with the hosts, while Benfica might have been disappointed last weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate away at Guimaraes, the Portuguese giants are enjoying another extended flurry. Making domestic history last season as they got their hands on a first domestic crown since 2019, the Eagles have lost just one of their previous 18 straight appearances across all competitions. With that eye-catching purple patch stemming all the way back to before November’s international break, Roger Schmidt’s men have also continued to shine with their performances on home soil. Last seen at the Estadio da Luz cruising their way to a routine 3-0 victory against Gil Vicente, the defending Primera Liga champions have won six of their previous seven contests in front of their own supporters.

Team News

Still dealing with a long-term muscle injury and not making a single appearance across any competition since the end of October, Benfica will once again be unable to call upon former PSG defender Juan Bernat on Thursday night. However, aside from the Spanish international, the Eagles have reported a clean bill of health heading into their first-leg showdown.

Finding the net against Guimaraes last weekend and now getting on the scoresheet in all of his previous four appearances on the bounce, ex-Fiorentina striker Arthur Cabral will spearhead Benfica’s charge here. Former Real Madrid superstar Angel Di Maria will partner Cabral in the final third.

Toulouse

As for the visitors, although Toulouse might have opened February with a much-needed 4-2 victory against Reims, the Violets came crashing back down to earth last weekend. Eventually falling to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Nantes, Carles Martinez Novell’s men find themselves at the heart of a Ligue 1 relegation scrap. Holding just a one-point buffer from slipping into the drop zone, the former Barcelona coach appears to have some mounting pressure on his shoulders. Crashing out of the Coupe de France last month following a shock penalties defeat against third-tier outfit Rouen, Toulouse have continued to struggle with their consistency this season. Although the French outfit might be desperate to spring a heavyweight Europa League upset over the next fortnight, Novell’s side are rightfully tipped as a real underdog contender here.

Team News

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Toulouse will travel to Portugal without the likes of Zakaria Aboukhlal, Danis Genreau and 20-year-old starlet Kevin Keben on Thursday night. However, returning from this month’s Africa Cup of Nations, Mali international Moussa Diarra could make a first appearance since back on January 3rd.

Bagging a consolation strike against Nantes over the weekend and finding the net in back-to-back domestic appearances, former Excelsior striker Thijs Dallinga will spearhead Toulouse’s charge in Portugal. Ex-Werder Bremen star Niklas Schmidt will partner Vincent Sieroo at the heart of Novell’s midfield.

Key Factors to Consider

• Benfica have lost just one of their 18 straight appearances across all competitions since returning from November’s international break.
• Likewise, the Eagles have won six of their previous seven showdowns at the Estadio da Luz.
• Brazil international Arthur Cabral has found the net in all of his previous four appearances on the bounce.
• Toulouse have lost three of their previous four domestic appearances across all formats.
• The Violets have recorded just two clean sheets from their last 14 showdowns away from the Stadium de Toulouse.

Conclusion

While Benfica might have eventually missed out on the chance to book a Champions League knockout stage ticket in December, the Portuguese icons are enjoying an extended flurry. Suffering just a single defeat across any competition since returning from November’s international break, Thursday’s hosts should be smelling a real opportunity here. With Toulouse at the heart of a Ligue 1 relegation scrap this season, Benfica’s free-scoring attack will be looking to make a first-leg statement on home soil.

Verdict: Arthur Cabral to score anytime

Best Odds: 8/5

Bookmaker: Dachbet