UEFA Europa League
On Thursday night, Marseille and Benfica meet at the Velodrome in the Europa League quarter-final second leg.
The first leg finished 2-1 to the Portuguese team. However, the tie is still very much in the balance.
Marseille are in woeful formThe first-leg defeat was part of OM's five-game losing streak in all competitions. The French team has also conceded at least two goals in each defeat.
Marseille's poor run of form means that their recent record in the Europa League could be better.
OM has now won just two of their previous six games in the competition, having suffered back-to-back defeats to Villarreal and, of course, Thursday night's opponents.
The home team’s recent Europa League games have at least produced goals, with over 2.5 goals scored in their last five matches in European football’s secondary competition.
One recent positive for OM in the Europa League has been their home form, as the French team won their previous four games on home soil in the competition.
Benfica back in form after two straight winsThe Eagles look to be back in form after consecutive wins over OM in the first leg and Moreirense at the weekend in the Primeira Liga.
The 3-0 weekend win over the latter continued Benfica's run of high-scoring games. Their last four competitive matches have produced over 2.5 goals.
Benfica have been difficult to beat of late in the Europa League, as they are unbeaten in five matches. The Eagles have also recorded back-to-back wins in the competition.
However, the club from the Portuguese capital have won just one of their last five away games in the Europa League. That one win came at Rangers in their previous away game in the competition.
What am I backing?The two teams go into this game in slightly contrasting form. This could be a close encounter, which I expect to produce goals. With that in mind, the bet I am backing over 2.5 goals scored.
