AS Monaco has the opportunity to take a big step towards qualification if they succeed against Benfica, this Wednesday evening (9 p.m.) during the 5th day of the Champions League.
After the defeats of Paris Saint-Germain in Munich (1-0) and Brest in Barcelona (3-0) on Tuesday evening in the Champions League, AS Monaco and Lille hope to show a better face of French football in Europe this Wednesday . The Monegasques, who have ten points after four matches and who are still undefeated, welcome Benfica to the Louis II stadium (9 p.m.), with the firm intention of taking a big step towards qualification. “We want to defend our position in the rankings,” admitted Monegasque coach Adi Hütter. “And for that, we need a victory.”
It must be said that after an apparently more favorable (but perfectly negotiated) schedule during the first four days of the Champions League, things are going to get tougher for Monaco. After receiving Benfica, ASM will travel to Arsenal in two weeks before playing Aston Villa then Inter during two days in January. The Monegasques would therefore be inspired to win this evening against Benfica, who alternates cold and hot in C1 but who impresses in the championship.
Two defeats in a row for Benfica
Aware of the qualities of his team, Adi Hütter is still wary of this Portuguese team, which remains with two defeats in the Champions League against Feyenoord and Bayern after two successes in the first two meetings. “Benfica is particularly good in rapid transitions, recognized the Monaco coach. Benfica remains on 8 victories in a row (in the league, editor’s note) including a fantastic 4-1 against Porto. But we remain on 3 successes. “
Since its defeat against Angers (0-1) at the beginning of November in Ligue 1, AS Monaco has actually had three victories, in Bologna (0-1) in C1 but also in Strasbourg (1-3) and against Brest (3- 2) in Ligue 1, against two good teams from the French championship. In the wake of an increasingly decisive Maghnes Akliouche, Monaco hopes to secure its place among the play-off teams this evening against Benfica.
Monaco – Benfica lineups: Embolo should start
For this meeting against Benfica, Adi Hütter should not launch a revolution, with his system of four offensive players. Despite the doubts and his ineffectiveness, Breel Embolo should start up front, supported by Minamino, Akliouche and Ben Seghir, unless Golovin replaces one of these three players. For the rest of the team, it’s also a great classic.
The probable starting lineup for AS Monaco: Majecki – Vanderson, Singo, Kehrer, Caio Henrique – Zakaria, Camara – Akliouche, Minamino, Ben Seghir – Embolo.
On the Benfica side, morale is high after the success against Porto last week in the league (4-1). Star of the Lisbon team, Angel Di Maria should start on the right wing, with two Turkish internationals on the offensive line, Kökçu and Aktürkoglu, to support Pavlidis.
Benfica’s likely starting XI: Trubin – Beste, Otamendi, Araujo, Carreras – Aursnes, Florentino Luis – Di Maria, Kökçu, Aktürkoglu – Pavlidis.
Time, channel, how to watch Monaco – Benfica live
This match between Monaco and Benfica will not be broadcast unencrypted on French television since it will only be visible on Canal+, a channel for which you must subscribe. To follow this meeting between the Monegasques and the Portuguese on the Internet, from 9 p.m. this Wednesday, November 27, you must also have a subscription, on the Canal+ website.
For this Champions League match, Monaco is favored by the various sports betting sites against Benfica. The odds for an ASM victory oscillate between 2 and 2.3 while that of a Portuguese victory in the Principality is above 3. The odds for a draw are around 3.5.