At this time, it appears that winning the Europa League might be Arsenal’s only chance to secure Champions League football for next season. Similarly, Benfica, currently in third place in the Portuguese Primeira Liga, finds itself in the same situation. So, do the Arsenal vs Benfica betting odds indicate a favorite in this encounter?
Therefore, the significance of this Europa League last 32 clash between the two teams is clear, with the first leg kicking off in Portugal on February 18.
Who will take a crucial advantage into the second leg? Let’s delve into this and uncover some betting value in the Arsenal vs Benfica preview, where the odds favor Benfica at 2.37, while an Arsenal win stands at 2.87.
1. Benfica vs Arsenal – Europa League Preview
In general, neither team has taken the Europa League particularly seriously this season, often fielding squads comprised of fringe and youth players.
However, both have managed to progress through the group stage, and given the knockout rounds, one wonders if Mikel Arteta and Jorge Jesus will adopt a more serious approach to this competition.
Arteta certainly has little else to strive for with his Arsenal side, potentially allowing stars like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette, and Bukayo Saka a chance to perform on the continental stage.
The Gunners navigated their group effortlessly, winning all six matches, with players like Nicolas Pepe, Eddie Nketiah, and Joe Willock standing out. Additionally, with their league form on the upswing – having won three consecutive Premier League matches leading up to this – prospects are looking significantly better for the beleaguered London side.
2. Arsenal vs Benfica Betting Odds
The betting odds for Arsenal vs Benfica have been disclosed, and somewhat unexpectedly, it is the Portuguese team that has been made favorites at 2.37.
Arsenal is listed at a promising 2.80, while the draw is available at 3.40. Don’t forget, we also have the overall tie odds, where the Gunners are 1.44 favorites, and Benfica stands as the 2.62 underdogs.
3. Arsenal vs Benfica Predictions
As always, the betting odds provide significant insight into our Arsenal vs Benfica predictions and the subsequent betting recommendations.
The odds suggest that Benfica is more likely to achieve a favorable result in the first leg at home, while Arsenal is perceived as a warm favorite for the overall tie.
However, with home advantage lessened due to the absence of fans in the stadium, the accuracy of this assertion is questionable.
As previously indicated, Arsenal has more at stake in this tie, while Benfica must navigate a challenging schedule that includes a domestic cup semi-final and crucial league matches against Porto and Sporting Lisbon first.
By the time this Europa League match arrives, they may not be at their freshest, leading us to predict that the English side should be considered slight favorites for the first leg.
4. Arsenal vs Benfica – Europa League Tips
If you can consistently beat the closing line in your betting – meaning the odds a team is offered when the match begins versus the price you accepted – you will likely see profits over time.
There is a strong possibility that Arsenal’s odds will shorten significantly from the 2.80 offered here, thus by backing the Londoners in our betting tips, we are capitalizing on a great value bet.
Expect Arteta to field a robust starting eleven for the first leg, and given their improving form, they must be favored in comparison to their opponents.
5. Benfica vs Arsenal Live Stream
To watch the Arsenal vs Benfica live stream, you can tune in via BT Sport or your local TV broadcaster.
For alternative viewing options, consider popular betting apps like bet365, William Hill, and Unibet, which offer excellent live streaming channels accessible to all customers as an addition to the Arsenal vs Benfica betting odds.
With thousands of hours of live coverage available each week, you certainly don’t want to miss out!