Benfica Vs Arsenal
Benfica Vs Arsenal Thursday 18th February 2021 – 20:00 (BT Sport)
UEFA Europa League, Round of 32
Pick: Over 2.5 Goals
Odds: 4/5
Bookmaker: BetVictor
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 15th February 2021)
Preview: An exciting match up in prospect – albeit one set to take place on neutral ground, inside the iconic Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy – pits this season’s highest scorers during the group stage against each other, as Benfica take on Arsenal.
UEFA Europa League Betting at Bet365
Table of Contents
Benfica – Could losing home advantage prove decisive?
The Portuguese giants are enduring a tough time of it domestically, sitting ten points off leaders Sporting Lisbon, following a poor recent run which has seen them register one win in six Liga Nos fixtures. The return of European commitments should provide a welcome distraction then, albeit for a club that has featured in no fewer than three Europa League/UEFA Cup finals and failed to win them all.
Like their upcoming opponents, The Eagles were sent packing from last season’s tournament in the Round of 32. Beaten 5-4 on aggregate by eventual semi-finalists Shakhtar Donetsk. Prior to that, though, the 37-time Portuguese league champions had never failed to progress beyond this stage in five such appearances, though their record in two-legged ties versus English opposition is mixed: W5 L7.
Overall, Benfica have won less than a third of all such meetings (W11 D6 L19), claiming seven of those in Portugal. It is a shame, then, that Thursday’s first-leg isn’t taking place in Lisbon, where they have never lost a home Europa League fixture. Meanwhile, en route to a second place finish (W3 D3) in Group D, Jorge Jesus’ men racked up the second-most goals (18) in the entire group stage.
Arsenal – Aubameyang quality can inspire Gunners?
Fresh from hitting Leeds United for four this past weekend, Arsenal resume their quest for a first UEFA Europa League winners medal having fallen agonisingly short in a final as recently as 2018/19. In fact, the Gunners have progressed to at least the semi-final stage in two of the past three campaigns – last season’s Round of 32 exit at the hands of Greek outfit Olympiacos, courtesy of the away goals rule, the exception.
Victory over the weekend halted a brief lull for Mikel Arteta’s men. The Spaniard had overseen a goalless draw at home to Manchester United as well as away losses at Aston Villa and Wolves prior to Sunday’s 4-2 scoreline at the Emirates. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has endured an underwhelming season thus far, however a hat-trick last time could be the catalyst for a strong second half to the campaign.
Aubameyang netted in his only Europa League appearance of this season, grabbing the winner as the Gunners fought back to win in Austria against Rapid Vienna. Not that the Gabon striker was sorely missed. Arsenal won all six group stage matches, scoring 20 goals in the process at a rate of more than three per game – that total the most ever recorded by an English side in this competition during the group phase.
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Benfica Vs Arsenal Betting Advice
There were goals aplenty as these sides both bowed out from the Round of 32 last term, Benfica losing 5-4 on aggregate to Shakhtar Donetsk as Arsenal went out on away goals after a 2-2 draw with Olympiacos. Moreover, these are the two most prolific teams from this season’s group stage, the English Premier League outfit topping the scoring charts with 20 to the 18 of 2019/20’s Portuguese Liga NOS runners-up.
Benfica Vs Arsenal – Key Facts:
- The two most prolific sides from this season’s Europa League group phase, with 18 and 20 goals respectively, face off. All 12 group stage fixtures featured three or more goals.
- Benfica (W3 D3) finished their campaign in Group D behind Rangers whereas Arsenal (W6) comfortably topped Group B after winning all six group games.
- The Portuguese side have won five of six previous Round of 32 Europa League ties. Meanwhile, Arsenal are unbeaten in their past nine away European games (W7 D2).
I’m anticipating a lively encounter even on neutral territory. Arsenal are notoriously ‘hit and miss’ in front of goal this season but recently netted four in a morale-boosting victory over the weekend, while Benfica have found the back of the net in nine of their last eleven competitive matches. Both were free-scoring during their respective group stage campaigns, returning Over 2.5 Goals in all 12 of their combined matches.
Best Betting Odds – Benfica Vs Arsenal
Benfica – 15/8 (Betway)
Draw – 13/5 (Betfair)
Arsenal – 11/8 (BetVictor)
