Benfica enter the Europa League clash with Stuttgart on the back of 13 straight victories in all competitions and there is no doubt the Eagles are the favourites to win this game. The Swabians, on the other hand, largely struggle this season and the clearly face an uphill task at La Luz.

13 wins in a row

After spending the last decade in Porto’s shade, Benfica chiefs were determined to end their rivals’ domestic domination with the heavy investments in the playing squad finally paying off last season, when the Eagles won the league title quite convincingly. Jorge Jesus’s side encountered some problems at the start of the season but they soon hit the ground running and are currently on a 13-match winning run. Despite the impressive run, Benfica are still nine points adrift of leaders Porto, and that is why the Eagles will now shift their focus to Europa League, where they have an excellent chance of reaching the final stages. With players like Aimar, Saviola, Gaitan and Coentrao in the side, Benfica should have no problems extending their magnificent run against struggling Stuttgart.

Coach Jorge Jesus should be able to field his strongest side as only back-up players have some injury problems. Ruben Amorim has been ruled out of the season with a knee injury, while Jose Luis Fernandez and Cesar Peixoto remain injury doubts.

Stuttgart starring into the abyss

Not long ago a team that were fighting for the league title are in danger of losing their Bundesliga status following some dismal performances this term. After the 4:1 home defeat to Nurnberg, Stuttgart sit in penultimate place in the league standings, four points adrift of safety and there is no doubt that Bundesliga survival is a priority for Bruno Labbadia’s side at the moment. The players are completely out of confidence at the moment, as witnessed by the heavy defeat to average side like Nurnberg, so Benfica are likely to prove too big a task for the Swabians, especially as they will be without several key players at la Luz. With weekend’s game against Bayer Leverkusen much more important for Stuttgart at the moment, coach Bruno Labbadia will have one eye on that game when he names the starting line-up against Benfica.

Team’s top scorer Pavel Pogrebnyak misses out with a rib injury, while fellow striker Ciprian Marica is suspended. Artur Boka is out with a knee ligament injury, whereas Christian Gentner and Timo Gebhart are doubtful with ankle problems. New signing Shinji Okazaki is unlikely to get FIFA clearance in time to feature in this match.

Verdict

When we look at the quality the two coaches have at their disposal and teams’ current form, it is easy to see that Benfica are hot favourites in this match. On top of that, the hosts see Europa League as a priority and will be at full strength, unlike Stuttgart, who have other things on their mind and are without several key players, so big home win looks on the cards.

Our prediction: Benfica to win with -1 Asian handicap

Odds: 1.98 (39/40)

Bookmaker: Bet365