Monaco – Benfica: ASM dreams of going even higher

AS Monaco has the opportunity to take a big step towards qualification in the event of success against Benfica, this Wednesday evening (9 p.m.) during the 5th day of the Ligue des champions.

After the defeats of Paris Saint-Germain in Munich (1-0) and Brest in Barcelona (3-0) on Tuesday evening in the Champions League, AS Monaco and Lille hope to show a better face of French football in Europe this Wednesday. The Monegasques, who have ten points after four games and are still unbeaten, welcome Benfica to the Stade Louis II (9 p.m.), with the firm intention of taking a big step towards qualification. “We want to defend our position in the standings,” admitted the Monégasque coach Adi Hütter. And for çthat, we need a victory."

It must be said that after a schedule that was a priori more favorable (but perfectly negotiated) during the first four days of the Champions League, things are going to get tougher for Monaco. After hosting Benfica, ASM will travel to Arsenal in two weeks before playing Aston Villa and then Inter during the two days in January. The Monegasques would therefore be inspired to win tonight against Benfica, who alternate between hot and cold in C1 but who impress in the championship.

Two defeats in a row for Benfica

Aware of his team's qualities, Adi Hütter is still wary of this Portuguese team, which has two defeats in the Champions League against Feyenoord and Bayern after two wins in the first two games. “Benfica is particularly good in quick transitions,” admitted the Monaco coach. Benfica has won 8 games in a row (in the league, editor's note), including a fantastic 4-1 against Porto. But we stay on 3 successes."

Since its defeat against Angers (0-1) at the beginning of November in Ligue 1, AS Monaco has actually won three games, at Bologna (0-1) in C1 but also at Strasbourg (1-3) and against Brest (3-2) in Ligue 1, against two good teams in the French championship. In the wake of an increasingly decisive Maghnes Akliouche, Monaco hopes to secure its place among the play-off teams tonight against Benfica.

Monaco – Benfica line-ups: Embolo should start

For this match against Benfica, Adi Hütter should not launch a revolution, with his system of four attacking players. Despite the doubts and his ineffectiveness, Breel Embolo should start up front, supported by Minamino, Akliouche and Ben Seghir, unless Golovin replaces one of these three players. As for the rest of the team, it's also a classic.

AS Monaco's probable starting eleven:Majecki – Vanderson, Singo, Kehrer, Caio Henrique – Zakaria, Camara – Akliouche, Minamino, Ben Seghir – Embolo.

On the side Benfica's morale is high after last week's 4-1 win over Porto. Lisbon's star Angel Di Maria should start on the right wing, with two Turkish internationals in the attack, Kouml;kçu and Aktürkoglu, to support Pavlidis.

Benfica's probable starting eleven: Trubin – Beste, Otamendi, Araujo, Carreras – Aursnes, Florentino Luis – Di Maria, Kökçu, Aktürkoglu – Pavlidis.

Time, channel, how to see Monaco – Benfica live

This match between Monaco and Benfica will not be broadcast unencrypted. French television since it will only be visible on Canal+, a channel for which it is essential to take out a subscription. To follow this meeting between the Monegasques and the Portuguese on the Internet, at from 9pm this Wednesday, November 27, you also need a subscription on the Canal+ website.

For this Champions League match, Monaco is the favorite by the various sports betting sites against Benfica. The odds for an ASM victory range between 2 and 2.3, while those for a Portuguese victory in the Principality are above 3. The odds for a draw are around 3.5.