Benfica enter the match as slight favourites according to bookmakers, holding odds around 2.28 and an implied 44% chance of victory. Nice, on the other hand, are valued at 2.95 to win outright, and 2.10 on the Draw No Bet market, reflecting the expectation of a close contest.
Both teams come off contrasting results. Nice delivered a commanding 6-0 victory over Brest in their last Ligue 1 outing, with Gaetan Laborde netting twice. The team managed nine shots on target and 41% possession. In contrast, Benfica suffered a 4-1 defeat after extra time to Chelsea in the Club World Cup Round of 16, despite a goal from Angel Di Maria and 36% possession.
Looking at recent form, Nice have recorded 4 wins, 4 losses, and 2 draws, averaging 1.7 goals and 5.7 shots on target per game. Their attacking leaders include Ali Abdi and Morgan Sanson, each with 3 goals, and Gaetan Laborde with 2. Jonathan Clauss leads the team in assists with 4, while Marcin Bulka has kept 2 clean sheets.
Benfica’s recent record stands at 7 wins and 3 draws, averaging 2.8 goals per game. Vangelis Pavlidis leads their scoring with 10 goals, followed by Kerem Akturkoglu with 5 and Nicolas Otamendi with 3. Anatoliy Trubin has 3 clean sheets in the last 10 matches.
The confirmed lineups feature Nice in a 4-4-2 setup: Yehvann Diouf (GK), Antoine Mendy, Juma Bah, Dante, Jonathan Clauss, Morgan Sanson, Hicham Boudaoui, Melvin Bard, Badredine Bouanani, Terem Moffi, Isak Jansson. Benfica line up similarly: Anatoliy Trubin (GK), Amar Dedic, Antonio Silva, Nicolas Otamendi, Samuel Dahl, Fredrik Aursnes, Richard Rios, Enzo Barrenechea, Andreas Schjelderup, Franjo Ivanovic, Vangelis Pavlidis.
Statistically, Benfica have a slight edge in possession (55.3% to Nice’s 48.0%) and goals scored, but Nice have shown resilience at home. Bookmakers see a 54.9% chance of the suggested Asian Handicap (+0.25 for Nice) returning a profit, though some analysts rate Nice’s chances closer to 60%.
With recent form and home advantage, Nice could challenge the odds, and a 2-1 victory for the French side is a plausible outcome. The over/under for total corners is set at 9.5, with recent data suggesting a trend towards the under. Morgan Sanson, with three goals in four matches, is a notable anytime scorer pick.
For more detailed stats and match updates, follow official channels for OGC Nice and SL Benfica.