US Monaco Vs. Benfica Predictions: Lesty Et Blanc Wants To Stay At Eli Eropa's Caste

Mika Biereth, target of qualifying Monaco for the last 8 of the Champions League (photo: x @AS_Monaco)

JAKARTA - AS Monaco will host Benfica at Stade Louis II in the knockout playoff match of the Champions League on Wednesday night, February 12. The two teams met again after Benfica won 3-2 at the same stadium in the league phase, where the hosts have now experienced an inconsistent period in recent weeks.

Bluk nicknamed Lesten et Blanc, was initially seen as a strong candidate to break into the last eight of the Champions League, but poor form at the end of the league saw them have to settle for finishing in 17th place. A 3-0 defeat to Inter Milan at the San Siro on the eighth matchday was the main cause, while a 3-2 negative result against Benfica also contributed to the slump in their position in the standings.

However, Monaco's achievements this season still deserve appreciation. This is their first time back in the Champions League since 2018-19, having previously been knocked out in the group stage in recent seasons.

Unfortunately, their performance in 2025 so far has not been very convincing. Of the nine matches in all competitions, Monaco have lost five defeats, including scoring 11 goals in the last four matches.

Last weekend, they suffered a 4-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, which saw them out of the top three for the first time in months. This is not a good asset ahead of the crucial match against Benfica.

The history of the meeting also does not side with Monaco. The defeat to Benfica in the league phase extended their poor record against the Portuguese team. In eight meetings against Portuguese clubs, Monaco only won once, which happened in 1997 against Sporting Lisbon.

Meanwhile, Benfica came with high confidence after qualifying for this round thanks to a crucial 2-0 win over Juventus in the last match of the league phase. They are currently in a much better condition than two weeks ago, when they were hit by a 5-4 defeat to Barcelona and 3-1 to Casa Pia.

Since then, Benfica has been able to bounce back with three consecutive wins, including two 3-2 wins over Estrela and Moreirense keeping them in the competition for the Portuguese Primeira League title.

Interestingly, this is the first time Benfica has faced the same club in two different stages in one edition of the Champions League. However, with a solid record against teams from France 'only three defeats in 13 meetings' they may feel quite comfortable with this draw.

Monaco are experiencing a fairly serious injury and suspension crisis ahead of this match. Lamine Camara midfielder had to be absent, so Soungoutou Magassa will most likely replace him in midfield. Christian Mawissa was also absent due to the red card she received against Inter Milan, while Jordan Teze and Wilfried Singo are still doubtful.

On the front lines, George Ilenikhena and Folarin Balogun are still injured, so Mika Biereth has the potential to make his Champions League debut after joining in January and performing impressively in Ligue 1, including scoring a hat-trick against Auxerre.

On the side of Benfica, Alexander Bah and Manu Silva are doubtful after suffering injuries in the last match against Moreirense. Angel Di Maria and Arthur Cabral are also absent from the match, but are expected to be back for this match.

Vangelis Pavlidis who is in good form is likely to still start in attack, although Cabral is also ready to compete for a main place.

Benfica's defense has conceded 12 goals in the last five games, but Nicolas Otamendi tried to cover up the draw with his forward contribution, scoring goals in two games in a row.

Monaco have the advantage of playing at home, but the crippled team's condition could be a inhibiting factor for them in dealing with Benfica who is in a positive trend.

Benfica may have weaknesses in the back lines, but their attack is quite productive with the presence of Pavlidis and Di Maria. If Monaco couldn't press it from the start, they could experience great difficulties facing a quick counter-attack from the visitors.

Seeing the condition of the two teams, Benfica seemed better prepared to achieve positive results in this first leg.

AS Monaco (4-2-3-1): Majecki; Vanderson, Kehrer, Salisu, Caio Henrique; Zakaria, Magassa; AkliREjo, Golovin, Ben Seghir; Biereth

Benfica (4-3-3):Trubin; Tomas Araujo, Antonio Silva, Otamendi, Fernandez; Florentino Luis, Aursnes, Kokcu; Di Maria, Pavlidis, Schjelderup

Score Prediction: Monaco 1-2 Benfica