Benfica vs. Monaco: Prediction, Team News & Lineups | Feb 18, 2025

With a place in the Champions League last 16 up for grabs, Benfica will defend their 1-0 first-leg advantage when they host a depleted Monaco side at Estádio da Luz on Tuesday, February 18, 2025. Having secured a vital away win in the first encounter, Benfica will be confident in finishing the job at home, while Monaco must defy their poor away form to turn the tie around.

Interesting Fact:

Monaco have never beaten Benfica in European competition, failing to win in all four previous meetings.

Team Analysis

Benfica

The Eagles continued their fine form with a 1-0 win over Santa Clara at the weekend, making it five wins in their last six matches. However, home form in the Champions League has been a concern, winning just one of their last eight at Estádio da Luz in this competition.

Current Form:

• 🏆 Last 5 matches: 4 wins, 1 loss
• ⚽ Last match: 1-0 win vs. Santa Clara (A)

Key Players:

• Vangelis Pavlidis – 6 goals in the UCL this season, including the winner in the first leg.
• Orkun Kökçü – Benfica’s creative engine in midfield.
• Gonçalo Ramos – Back in form, leading the line with pace and precision.

Injuries & Suspensions:

• ❌ Florentino (suspended)
• ❌ Angel Di Maria (muscle)
• ❌ Tomas Araujo (injury)
• ❌ Alexander Bah (ACL)
• ❌ Fredrik Aursnes (knee)
• ❌ Renato Sanches (muscle)
• ❌ Bruma (UEFA suspension)

Home Form (Champions League):

🏟 Played: 4
✅ Wins: 1
🤝 Draws: 1
❌ Losses: 2

Benfica have scored 3+ goals in each of their last 4 home matches in all competitions.

Monaco

Monaco hammered Nantes 7-1 in Ligue 1 at the weekend, but their away form has been disastrous, losing their last four away games in all competitions.

Current Form:

• 🏆 Last 5 matches: 3 wins, 2 losses
• ⚽ Last match: 7-1 win vs. Nantes (H)

Key Players:

• Mika Biereth – Hat-trick hero against Nantes; Monaco’s biggest attacking threat.
• Takumi Minamino – 2 UCL goals this season, provides creativity from the wing.
• Youssouf Fofana – Key figure in midfield, controlling play.

Injuries & Suspensions:

• ❌ Al-Musrati (suspended)
• ❌ Denis Zakaria (suspended)
• ❌ Vanderson (suspended)
• ❌ Aleksandr Golovin (adductor injury)
• ❌ Jordan Teze (unspecified)
• ❌ Folarin Balogun (shoulder)

Away Form (Champions League):

🏟 Played: 4
✅ Wins: 1
🤝 Draws: 1
❌ Losses: 2

Monaco are winless in five consecutive away matches in all competitions.

Head-to-Head & Past Encounters

• ✅ Monaco 0-1 Benfica – Feb 2025, UCL first leg
• 🤝 Monaco 0-0 Benfica – Nov 2014, UCL
• ✅ Benfica 1-0 Monaco – Oct 2014, UCL

🔹 Key Stats:

• Benfica are unbeaten in all four previous meetings with Monaco.
• Monaco have failed to score in their last two UCL away games.
• Benfica have scored 3+ goals in each of their last four home matches.

Prediction

⚽ Goal.mu/Mauri.bet predicts: Benfica 2-0 Monaco

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With Monaco struggling on the road and missing several key players, Benfica should capitalise on their first-leg lead and secure a comfortable victory at Estádio da Luz.

Betting Tips

📌 Both Teams to Score: No

• Monaco have struggled in front of goal away from home.

📌 Over/Under 2.5 Goals: Over 2.5 Goals

• Benfica have been scoring freely at home.

📌 Anytime Goalscorer: Vangelis Pavlidis

• The Greek striker has been clinical in the UCL this season.

📌 Half-Time Result: Benfica to Lead (1-0)

• Monaco are likely to sit deep, but Benfica’s firepower should break through early.

Possible Lineups

Benfica (4-2-3-1):

Trubin; Santos, Otamendi, Silva, Carreras; Amdouni, Kokcu, Barreiro, Akturkoglu; Pavlidis, Cabral

Monaco (4-2-3-1):

Majecki; Kehrer, Salisu, Mawissa, Henrique; Camara, Coulibaly; Akliouche, Ben Seghir, Minamino; Biereth

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