The tie of the early UEFA Europa League round takes place at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia on Thursday night, as Omonia Nicosia host Benfica in a battle between the two sides sitting on six points after two matchdays. Kickoff is at 20:00 WAT.
Our Omonia Nicosia vs Benfica prediction is that the Portuguese giants will have too much firepower for the Cypriot hosts. Omonia are unbeaten in seven matches (W5 D2) and are yet to concede in Europe after a 3-0 win at Celje and a 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo, while Benfica have won ten of their last eleven games in all competitions, including a 4-1 win over Celtic and a 2-0 triumph at AC Milan. That makes this the toughest test yet of Omonia’s remarkable unbeaten run.
Omonia Nicosia vs Benfica Match Preview
Benfica sit third and Omonia sixth on goal difference, both locked on six points from two Europa League outings. For our Omonia Nicosia vs Benfica prediction, something has to give in Nicosia: Omonia’s flawless European defensive record against a Benfica attack that has scored eight goals in its last two matches.
Team Recent Form
Omonia Nicosia: D-W-W-W-W
- 19 Oct: Omonia 2-2 Olympiacos Nicosia
- 15 Oct: Celje 0-3 Omonia (UEL)
- 9 Oct: Karmiotissa 0-3 Omonia
- 20 Sep: Omonia 4-1 Ypsonas
- 16 Sep: Omonia 1-0 Celta Vigo (UEL)
Omonia sit third in Cyprus, three points off the summit.
Benfica: W-W-L-W-W
- 15 Oct: Benfica 4-1 Celtic (UEL)
- 11 Oct: Benfica 2-0 Vitoria SC
- 20 Sep: Porto 3-1 Benfica
- 16 Sep: AC Milan 0-2 Benfica (UEL)
- 13 Sep: Benfica 3-1 Gil Vicente
Benfica are second in the Primeira Liga.
Key Stats
- Both teams have six points from two Europa League games.
- Omonia are yet to concede in the Europa League this season.
- Benfica have won ten of their last eleven games in all competitions.
Omonia Nicosia vs Benfica prediction: correct score
0-2 — Omonia’s defensive record is admirable but Benfica’s firepower — eight goals in their last two — should prove too much in Nicosia.
Omonia Nicosia vs Benfica H2H
- There have been two previous meetings, both won by Benfica in the 1981 European Cup.
- Leg scores from those ties are not verified in opened sources.
- 45 years have passed since the clubs last met.
- Thursday is their first meeting in the Europa League era.
Pre Game Odds
- Omonia Nicosia win: 7.31
- Draw: 4.81
- Benfica win: 1.39
The odds above are a six-bookmaker consensus via tugafutebol. Elsewhere, Benfica are priced at 2/5 with William Hill via Khel Now and at 1.38 with footballwhispers.
Team News Omonia Nicosia
Carel Eiting remains out with a serious knee injury suffered in July. Fotis Kitsos is also sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury, although he is nearing a return. There are no new concerns for the hosts.
Team News Benfica
Jakob Kaminski is out with a thigh injury and Enzo Barrenechea misses out after meniscus surgery. Daniel Banjaqui is a doubt with a muscle issue. Jhon Duran, who scored a brace against Celtic, is pushing to start, although Vangelis Pavlidis may be recalled — there is uncertainty over who leads the line. Note: variants at left-back and at striker differ between sources (Duran vs Pavlidis).
Omonia Nicosia possible starting lineup (4-3-3): Fabiano; Duverne, Coulibaly, Satka, Balkovec; Andreou, Tankovic, Maric; Ewandro, Diony, Montnor.
Benfica possible starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Bah, Araujo, Lenglet, Banjaqui; Palhinha, Aursnes; Prestianni, Sudakov, Schjelderup; Duran.
The lineups above are presented as possible, based on the Sports Mole and Khel Now consensus.
Omonia Nicosia vs Benfica Betting Tips
Tip 1 – Result: Benfica win. Our Omonia Nicosia vs Benfica prediction backs the visitors: Benfica have won ten of their last eleven games in all competitions and their attack has scored eight in the last two. Omonia’s unbeaten run should end here.
Tip 2 – Over/Under 2.5: Over 2.5 goals. Benfica’s last two matches produced nine goals, and Omonia’s defence faces by far its toughest test of the season. Expect goals in Nicosia.
Tip 3 – BTTS Yes/No: No. Omonia are yet to concede in the Europa League this season, and our Omonia Nicosia vs Benfica prediction of a 0-2 scoreline points to the hosts drawing a blank against superior opposition.
