Arsenal vs Benfica Lisbon Prediction & Betting Tips - Europa League

Prediction published on 23/02/2021, 00:29  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 23/02/2021 at 00:29 in Europa League Predictions

Arsenal are going through another rough patch; they’ve had a lot of these this season but will be hoping for a positive result as they host Benfica, in Greece. Travel restrictions between Portugal and England meant these sides can’t play in their home countries. In the first leg clash, in Italy, they drew 1-1 with Arsenal having to come from behind. The Gunners go to this game straight from a 1-0 loss to Manchester City, their third loss in five matches. They have managed just one win, and have no clean sheet, in the last five matches. In the loss to Manchester City, defender Rob Holding had a concussion and will miss this game but they shouldn’t have problems in replacements. The Gunners need at least a 0-0 draw to progress, but they have conceded seven in their last five matches and it would be better not to sit back but try winning from the onset. While they have few clean sheets in recent matches, Arsenal have really improved defensively this season. In their last 14 matches, they’ve conceded more than once in just two games. However, they have been poorer in attack, and go here having failed to score in five of the last 10 games. Arsenal were among the best performers at the group stages in Europa League, winning all six. They’ve also scored in each of their last 23 Europa League matches.

Benfica go to this game unbeaten in the last six matches but have just two wins in the last seven games. They’re also having defensive issues, with their last 11 matches registering just four clean sheets. In their last game right after facing Arsenal, they drew with Farense. A lot about Benfica rhymes with Arsenal; they also don’t score a lot and don’t concede a lot. In their last 11 matches, Benfica have scored more than one goal in just three, while they’ve conceded two or more in just one of the last 15 games. They have one away win in the last six matches, and just one clean sheet. In Europa League, Benfica haven’t lost a lot; they’re unbeaten in eight, but five are draws, and they’ve scored two or more in seven of eight in the competition. Their last 11 Europa League matches have returned just two clean sheets while they’ve conceded twice in each of their last five Europa League away matches. The Portuguese giants do not have a clean sheet in seven away matches in this competition.