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Top class Europa League semifinal we have on our hands here, it could always be at least a quarterfinal in the Champions League. Benfica and Juventus will square off for a place in the final, with the visitors knowing that they will play the last act in Turin if they will be able to qualify. Benfica is the odds-on favorite here but only by a slim margin.
Benfica could hardly ask for a better season. The hosts are 1st in the league and virtual champions, they are in the Europa League semifinals, in the Portugese Cup final and in the Portugese League Cup semifinals, so all trophies are still up for grabs for Benfica this year. The home side is also in amazing form right now, winning 7 consecutive games while allowing a single goal and at home Benfica has been just brilliant. Zero defeats this season, only 4 draws (all competitions). Last time out Benfica put on a relaxed performance for a 2-0 home win against Olhanense.
Juventus is in a similar situation to Benfica. Amazing form with 15 wins in the last 17 games (matches against Napoli and Fiorentina are the only exception). The league is as good as won and the visiting side will be supermotivated to come out on top in this tie, given that the final will be played on their own stadium. Juve really looks like a top team in Europe right now and the visitors are on the back of a 1-0 win at home against Bologna – the last 5 games have been all wins for Juve, with just 1 conceded goal.
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Bet with the best odds and highest limits at Pinnacle. |
Team news & lineups
Benfica will miss Salvio and Silvio for tonight, while Juventus will be happy to report a clean bill of health. Tevez is doubtful, but he should play.
Benfica: Moraes – Pereira, Garay, Luisao, Siqueira – Markovic, Amorim, Perez, Gaitan – Rodrigo, Lima
Juventus: Buffon – Bonucci, Chiellini, Barzagli – Lichtsteiner, Vidal, Pirlo, Pogba, Asamoah – Tevez, Llorente
Both sides have impressed this season and are especially hard to break down, posting some amazing defensive numbers. In such an evenly matched, high profile clash with such high stakes, I`m pretty sure no side will take too many risks and will be happy to rely on their defense to keep a clean sheet, maybe score once if they get the chance. I can`t see any team being able to break down the opposing defense in these circumstances so I will be happy to bet on a low number of goals. Expect a balanced clash with few chances to show for. My tip is under 2,5 goals to be scored, a bet on which the odds are going down. Prediction: Benfica – Juventus 0-0.
Pick: under 2,5 goals
Odds: 1.70 @ Pinnacle
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 5.60
Event date: 24 April
