Prediction: Monaco vs Benfica

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Olympusbet

Looking to extend on their Champions League romp, Monaco will welcome Benfica to the Stade Louis II on Wednesday night.

Monaco

Starting with the hosts, although Monaco might have signed off October with back-to-back Ligue 1 defeats, the French giants have come roaring back in an impressive fashion. Keeping up their recent charge over the weekend as they secured an action-packed 3-2 win against Brest, it appears that the mood in Aid Hutter’s camp is at a real high. Sat second in the Ligue 1 standings and only chasing defending champions PSG, the former Eintracht Frankfurt boss will be calling on his squad to make another statement here. Entering November’s international break with a stellar 3-1 romp away at Strasbourg, Monaco have also embarked on a remarkable European romp. Last seen in Champions League action collecting a gritty 1-0 win against Bologna, Hutter’s side have already put 10 points on the board from just their opening four appearances.

Team News

Once again missing out against Brest over the weekend, Monaco will once again be without former Arsenal starlet Florian Balogun on Wednesday night. Likewise, yet to make a single appearance across any competition so far this season, academy graduate Mamadou Coulibaly here.

However, after serving a one-match domestic suspension on Friday night, Senegal International Lamine Camara could be handed an immediate full recall. Opening his Champions League account against Red Star last month, Breel Embolo will spearhead Monaco’s charge.

Benfica

As for the visitors, although Benfica might have an almighty uphill battle on their hands in the race to reclaim their domestic crown, Bruno Lage’s men are enjoying quite the purple patch. Heading into November’s International break with a sensational performance as they stormed their way to a 4-1 romp against historic rivals Porto, the one-time Wolves boss should find the mood in his camp at a real high. Extending on their Taco de Portugal adventure last weekend as they stormed their way to a 7-0 victory against Estrela, Benfica have won five of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Appearing to have found a real clinical edge in the final third, Lage’s camp should be excited to turn their attention back to European duties on Wednesday night.

Team News

All still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Benfica will once again be without the likes of Marko Grujic, Ivan Jaime, Ivan Marcano and Nigerian defender Zaidu. Likewise, former Bayer Leverkusen star Wendell remains on the sidelines with a muscle injury and will not travel to Monaco here.

Enjoying what has been a sensational recent flurry and now notching five goals in his back-to-back appearances on either side of November’s fortnight interval, former Real Madrid superstar Angel Di Maria will play a leading role. One-time Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi will start at the heart of Benfica’s defence.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Monaco and Benfica last met back in November 2014, the Portuguese giants collected a 1-0 victory on home soil.
• Monaco have collected 10 points from their first four Champions League appearances this year.
• Benfica have won five of their previous six appearances across all competitions.
• Monaco have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their last eight consecutive showdowns at the Stade Louis II.
• Former Real Madrid superstar Angel Di Maria has recorded five goals in his back-to-back appearances on either side of November’s international break.

Conclusion

While Monaco might be looking to extend on their remarkable Champions League romp, the French giants should have a tricky test on their hands here. Watching Benfica win five of their previous six appearances across all competitions, Wednesday’s guests have also found quite the clinical edge in the final third. With Monaco mustering just a single clean sheet from any of their last eight showdowns at the Stade Louis II, we are expecting what could be an enjoyable Champions League battle in midweek.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 2/3

Bookmaker: Olympusbet