Benfica are set to run riot against Hearts in this Europa League qualifier clash and the Scottish side look in for a tough night under the lights. With the home advantage firmly in their corner the Portuguese giants will be aiming to settle the tie early and avoid any drama in the return leg. Hearts have been through a rough patch lately losing key figures from their squad and it shows in their recent European outings where they have struggled to keep things tight at the back.
Team Form
The Edinburgh club pushed the big two in Scotland last season but reality has hit hard this summer. Losing their manager and star striker has left them short on options and the heavy defeats to Sturm Graz already tell the story of a side low on confidence. Benfica on the other hand are flying high and will use this tie to build momentum ahead of their domestic campaign.
- Sturm Graz hammered Hearts 6-0 on aggregate in Champions League qualifying
- Benfica crushed St Gallen 5-0 away after a narrow home loss in the previous round
- Hearts have no adequate replacements for their departed captain and leading scorer
Tactical Analysis
Benfica love to dominate possession and they will press high from the first whistle to force errors from a Hearts defence that already looks shaky. The visitors may try to sit deep and hit on the break but with limited firepower up top that plan could backfire quickly. Expect the Portuguese side to rotate some stars in the second leg if they get the job done convincingly here so the focus must be on a strong opening statement.
- Benfica strengths include quick transitions and clinical finishing from their attacking midfielders
- Hearts weaknesses lie in set piece defending and lack of depth in the forward line
- Key area will be the wings where Benfica can exploit space behind the full backs
Betting Proposal
This looks like a mismatch on paper and the hosts should take full advantage by running up a big score. A comfortable win with goals to spare seems the most likely outcome given the form on both sides. Benfica to win by three goals or more with the handicap -2.5 at odds of 1.95 stands out as the value type for this one.
