Last updated & checked: 10/08/2021
If you were to merely look at the recent results, you may be surprised to learn that Eintracht Frankfurt are the favourites here. The home team not only lost the first leg in an action-packed 4-2 contest but also fell in their last match to Augsburg. Benfica, on the other hand, have plenty of momentum, winning their last two Primeira Liga matches. Funnily enough, they won their last match against Setúbal by the same score as their first leg against Eintracht Frankfurt.
However, you simply have to look at the home team’s form to understand why they remain such a dangerous side to come up against, regardless of advantage. Those last couple of losses were their first since the early days of January and they remain one of the top teams of the Bundesliga. With added determination and fire, they will prove extremely difficult to overcome.
Eintracht Frankfurt vs Benfica Prediction: Frankfurt 2-1 Benfica
Their fierce first battle gave us a good idea of what to expect here. And although Benfica came out on top there, we still think Eintracht Frankfurt have what it takes to win this leg – although qualification may be a different matter. This is because they rarely stay in disappointing form for long. Their recent outings are likely to prove an exception rather than the rule, especially when you consider Benfica’s bad history against German teams at home. Nonetheless, we expect the action to once again come thick and fast, with a 2-1 overall scoreline for the home team in this leg.
Our recommended tip: Eintracht Frankfurt win
The first leg of this Europa League quarter-final clash was a hard-fought one, with Benfica coming out with the advantage. However, the home side are the favourites here. That’s because Eintracht Frankfurt not only have the home-field advantage – and will be highly motivated here – but Benfica have also lost their last four away European matches in Germany. Therefore, for your best chance of winning your wager, we recommend that you back the home team to victory. If you choose to follow our advice, you’ll find low-risk 8/11 Eintracht Frankfurt match odds at Paddy Power.
Previous matches
While Benfica do have a rather storied and unfortunate history in Germany, their first leg encounter with Eintracht Frankfurt was actually the one and only time these two have ever met. We are sure that provides Benfica with an even greater confidence boost knowing that the sole time these two have gone at it, they came out victorious. Meanwhile, for the home team, there will be a desire to prove their ability against an untested side. Having only met once, there’s still plenty these two are yet to learn about the other.
Top 3 Europa League Bookies
Players to watch: Gonçalo Paciência & João Félix
Eintracht Frankfurt: Gonçalo Paciência
With the injury status of Sébastien Haller still in question, Eintracht Frankfurt have to look elsewhere for someone to compliment the goal-scoring machine of Luka Jović. If their last outing was anything to go by, the back of the net will see plenty of action before the final whistle. Well, the last couple of games, the man to step up to the plate has been Gonçalo Paciência. He scored in the first leg and in their losing battle against Augsburg: the only player to do so, in fact. It’d be great to see his efforts rewarded with a victory.
Benfica: João Félix
Considering João Félix not only scored a hat-trick the last time these two met – an astonishing achievement against a team the calibre of Eintracht Frankfurt – but also became the first player in history to score a Europa League hat-trick at 19-years-old, we couldn’t choose anyone else.
