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Aarhus will look to overturn a two-goal deficit when they welcome Benfica to Randers Stadium – their nominal home – for Thursday's Europa League playoff second leg.
The Danish champions face a difficult task after losing 3-1 in Lisbon last week, putting them at risk of slipping further down to the Conference League.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Aarhus vs. Benfica key stats
- Benfica have won four of the previous five meetings between the two sides.
- Aarhus are winless in their last four matches, losing three of those games.
- Both teams have scored in four of Benfica's last five outings.
- Benfica have won five of their last seven games (D2).
Aarhus vs Benfica preview: AGF facing uphill battle against dominant Eagles
Aarhus vs. Benfica — Tale of the Tape
| Aarhus | vs | Benfica |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (Danish Superliga) | Position | 7th (Primeira Liga) |
| 3 | Points | 4 |
| 6 | Goals For | 9 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 2 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 10th | Home / Away Rank | 1st |
Aarhus have already taken a long route through the European qualifiers, dropping into the Europa League playoffs after suffering a 5-2 aggregate defeat to Sabah in the Champions League third qualifying round.
Jakob Poulsen's men then fell behind again in Lisbon, but Sebastian Jorgensen's first-half goal gave them something to take into the interval before Vangelis Pavlidis restored Benfica's two-goal lead from the penalty spot.
There is reason for the Danish champions to feel confident about causing problems in front of their own supporters, with James Bogere scoring three times the last two games Aarhus have hosted.
The hosts will nevertheless be without several players for the decisive meeting, with Frederik Tingager, Nicolai Poulsen and Kevin Yakob among those unavailable.
Benfica, meanwhile, travel to Denmark knowing that they are within touching distance of another European main-stage appearance after establishing a two-goal cushion in the first leg.
Marco Silva's side have also been scoring freely, following up a 7-0 demolition of Casa Pia in the Primeira Liga with another three goals against Aarhus.
Pavlidis has been at the centre of that attacking surge, with his penalty last Thursday taking the Greek striker's tally to 10 goals in his last five appearances.
The Eagles are also chasing a 17th consecutive season in the main stage of a European competition, so there is little danger of complacency with such an important target within reach.
Aarhus vs. Benfica form guide & betting tips
| Aarhus | vs | Benfica |
|---|---|---|
W
L
L
L
D
|
Form |
W
D
D
W
W
|
| 6 | Goals For | 19 |
| 12 | Goals Against | 5 |
L
|
Europa League |
L
W
W
D
W
|
Whispers predicts: Aarhus 1-2 Benfica
Benfica have the advantage and should be able to make it count, particularly if Aarhus are forced to leave gaps while chasing the two goals they need.
The Benfica win at 1.45 (9/20) appeals given the difference in quality between the squads and the visitors' recent scoring record.
Aarhus should still have their moments at home, making both teams to score at 1.66 (4/6) another option worth considering.
The over 2.5 goals selection at 1.53 (8/15) also stands out, while a 2-1 correct score in favour of Benfica is priced at 8.50 (15/2).
> Benfica win at 1.45 (9/20) | Likelihood: Probably
> Over 2.5 goals at 1.53 (8/15) | Likelihood: Probably
> BTTS – yes at 1.66 (4/6) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score – Aarhus 1-2 Benfica at 8.50 (15/2) | Likelihood: Outsider