12th Aug. UEFA Champions League - Benfica VS Nice Prediction
UEFA Champions League - Benfica VS Nice
Match Time:13-08-2025 03:00 Wednesday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
--------------------------------------
SL Benfica
Benfica, coached by Bruno Lage, holds a 2-0 lead from the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, defeating Nice 2-0 at Allianz Riviera on August 6, 2025, with goals from Franjo Ivanović (53') and Florentino Luís (88'). Their recent form is strong, with a 3-1 win over Rio Ave in the Primeira Liga on August 9, 2025, averaging 2.0 goals scored and 0.7 goals conceded across their last three competitive matches. Key players include Ivanović, Vangelis Pavlidis, and Fredrik Aursnes, with a probable 4-4-2 lineup: Trubin; Dedic, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Aursnes, Ríos, Barrenechea, Schjelderup; Pavlidis, Ivanović. Benfica’s strengths are their attacking depth and home dominance at Estádio da Luz (sold out, 64,642 capacity), where they’ve won 15 of their last 17 competitive matches. However, the absence of away fans due to a UEFA ban (from flare use in Barcelona on March 11, 2025) slightly dims the atmosphere. They aim to secure advancement to the playoff round against Feyenoord or Fenerbahçe.
OGC Nice
Nice, led by Franck Haise, is tasked with overturning a 2-0 deficit. Their recent form includes a 1-0 Ligue 1 loss to Toulouse on August 10, 2025, with no shots on target, averaging 0.5 goals scored and 1.5 goals conceded in their last two competitive matches. Key players include Terem Moffi, Badredine Bouanani, and Jonathan Clauss, with a probable 3-4-3 lineup: Diouf; Mendy, Bah, Oppong; Clauss, Boudaoui, Louchet, Bard; Bouanani, Moffi, Jansson. Nice’s strengths are their counter-attacking pace, but injuries to Youssouf Ndayishimiye (cruciate ligament), Mohamed Abdelmonem, and Moïse Bombito, plus the departure of Gaëtan Laborde and Evann Guessand’s likely transfer, weaken their squad. Their away form is poor (no wins in last 4 competitive away games). They aim to stage a comeback despite their depleted roster.
Head-to-Head
Benfica and Nice have met twice recently: the 2-0 Benfica win in the first leg on August 6, 2025, and a 3-0 Benfica victory in a 2022 friendly. Matches average 2.5 goals, with 50% over 2.5 goals and 0% both teams scoring (BTTS). Benfica’s only competitive home game against Nice was a 3-3 draw in a 2022 friendly, but their first-leg dominance gives them the edge.
Predicted Score: Benfica 2-0 Nice (4-0 aggregate)
This second-leg clash on August 12, 2025, at Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, at 3:00 PM WET (2:00 PM EDT), is a sell-out, broadcast on ESPN and streamed on UEFA.tv and Sofascore, with referee Marco Guida officiating (assistants Giorgio Peretti, Giuseppe Perrotti; fourth official Matteo Marchetti). Benfica’s Ivanović and Pavlidis face Nice’s Moffi and Bouanani, with Benfica’s home strength and first-leg lead tested by Nice’s desperate attacking intent. Benfica are heavy favorites (-200 odds) over Nice (+450), with a draw at +300. Trends (Benfica: 60% over 2.5 goals; Nice: 40%) and H2H suggest a low-scoring game, with betting tips favoring under 2.5 goals (-110 odds) due to Nice’s depleted attack. Cards may be issued in the 20°C afternoon if Nice’s frustration leads to fouls. The winner advances to face Feyenoord or Fenerbahçe; the loser drops to the Europa League. Benfica is likely to score through Pavlidis, with Nice struggling to convert due to their injury-hit squad and Benfica’s defensive solidity. Benfica’s home form and first-leg advantage should secure a comfortable win, advancing them to the playoff round.
The Most Popular
-
Prediction: August 10th Brazilian Série A, Palmeiras vs Ceará -
Chelsea vs Milan: Preseason Showdown at Stamford Bridge -
Prediction: August 11th Liga Portugal FC Porto vs Vitoria Guimaraes -
Wembley Showdown: Liverpool Targets Shield Glory Against Debutant Palace -
12th Aug. International Club Friendly - Monza VS Inter Milan Prediction -
Prediction: August 12th Friendly Match WSG Swarovski Tirol vs Real Madrid
