Nice vs Benfica Tips & Preview - Attacks to shine in open contest

By Tolu Shotade

47 seconds ago

Tolu Shotade 47 seconds ago

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Nice hosts Benfica in UCL qualifiers, both seeking first-leg edge.
Nice unbeaten in five of last six matches, scoring freely but defensively shaky.
Benfica in strong form with recent trophy win, but defense also vulnerable.

Nice vs Benfica

Nice host Benfica in the third round of the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, with both teams looking to claim a first-leg advantage.

Both sides have shown some good form lately and will be feeling confident coming into this one. Given the attacking quality on display, an open contest could be on the cards here.

Nice News

Nice are joining the qualifiers for the first time this season, having drawn a bye in the previous rounds. They have never made the group stage of the Champions League and will be looking to change that record this term.

The French side have looked sharp in preseason and are unbeaten in five of their last six matches. They have picked up four wins on this run, including a 3-2 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in their previous fixture.

The goals have flowed freely for Nice lately, scoring in five of their last six matches. However, Franck Haise’s team have failed to keep a clean sheet five times on this run, while five of those fixtures have also produced over 2.5 goals.

Benfica News

Benfica are regular campaigners in the Champions League and often progress to the group stage. Their recent record in Europe earned them enough coefficient points to play at the FIFA Club World Cup, where they reached the round of 16.

The Portuguese side’s overall form has been solid lately, winning four of their last five matches across all competitions. Bruno Lage’s team also picked up a trophy last week, beating Sporting CP 1-0 to win the Super Cup in Portugal.

Benfica also have quality going forward and have scored first in four of their last five matches across all competitions, with three of those fixtures producing over 2.5 goals. However, they have failed to keep a clean sheet in two of the last three matches on this run.

Head to Head

Nice and Benfica have only met in friendlies, with the Portuguese side winning the two previous matches. The visitors claimed a 3-0 victory in a clash back in 2022.

Verdict

Nice v Benfica

Nice and Benfica often adopt an open style of play, and given their attacking showings lately, both teams are expected to score. With the French side seeing over 2.5 goals in five of their last six matches, a repeat could also be on the cards.

Benfica have opened the scoring in four of their last five matches and should maintain that trend on Wednesday.

Yes

Both Teams to Score

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Over 2.5

Total Goals

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Benfica

To Score First Goal

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