The first leg of the 2025/26 Champions League third qualifying round between Nice (France) and Benfica (Portugal) will take place on August 6 at the Allianz Riviera Stadium. Nice vs. Benfica: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Nice
The team finished fourth in the last French championship, earning a spot in the Champions League qualifiers. Notably, the club has participated in this tournament only once before, in the 2017/18 season, when they also started from the third qualifying round and advanced. Last year, Nice competed in the Europa League group stage, finishing second to last with just three points (3 draws, 5 losses).
During the off-season, defender Jean-Clair Todibo and goalkeeper Marcin Bulka left the club. Additionally, forward Isak Jansson was signed.
- In the last nine home matches in European competitions, the club has seen both teams score.
- The team has lost 5 of their last 7 international matches (2 draws).
- In 4 of Nice's last 5 home games in European tournaments, the match ended in a draw.
Predicted lineup for Nice (5-2-3)
Yehvann Diouf – Djuma Ba, Melvin Bard, Dante, Jonathan Clauss, Antoine Mendy – Morgan Sanson, Hicham Boudaoui – Terem Moffi, Badredine Bouanani, Evann Guessand.
Benfica
The Portuguese team earned a spot in the Champions League qualifiers by finishing second in last season's national championship. In the 21st century, the club has participated in this tournament 20 times, with their best result being a quarter-final appearance, which they have achieved five times. Additionally, Benfica has reached this stage of the qualifiers eight times, advancing on five occasions. Last season, the club also competed in the Champions League, starting from the group stage and reaching the round of 16. It's also worth noting that the team recently won the Portuguese Super Cup, defeating Sporting 1-0 in the final match.
In the summer, the team saw the departures of defender Álvaro Fernández Carreras, winger Ángel Di María, and forward Arthur Cabral. Among the new signings, midfielder Richard Rios stands out.
- The Portuguese team has won 5 of their last 7 away matches in the Champions League.
- The team has conceded in 6 of their last 8 home matches in this tournament.
- At least one goal was scored in the first half in 6 of the club's last 8 away games in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Benfica (4-3-3)
Anatoliy Trubin – Antonio Silva, Samuel Dall, Nicolas Otamendi, Amar Dedic – Richard Rios, Leandro Barreiro, Enzo Barrenechea – Kerem Akturkoglu, Evangelos Pavlidis, Fredrik Aursnes.
Referee
Michael Oliver (England)
Matches – 16 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 67;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.2;
Red cards shown – 3;
Average fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 38%.
Match Prediction: Nice vs. Benfica
The French team hasn't played in Europe's top tournament for a long time, and I believe the players will feel the pressure. They are likely to focus on ball control rather than aggressive forward play. Additionally, the club has not scored more than one goal in 4 of their last 5 home matches in European competitions, and in 8 of their last 9 international matches, where the opponents, in my opinion, were weaker than the upcoming Portuguese opponent.
Benfica, on the other hand, boasts a solid defense: the team has not conceded more than one goal in 12 of their last 16 away games in the Champions League, with only regular tournament participants managing to score more than once against them. It's worth noting that during the off-season, the Portuguese side strengthened their midfield by signing defensive midfielder Richard Rios, who can significantly aid in disrupting the opponent's attacks.
Considering all this, my prediction: Nice individual total under 1.5 goals
