- Benfica have won 3 and lost 2 of their last 5 games, and have won their last 2.
- Hearts have won 2 and lost 3 of their last 5, and have lost their last 2.
Benfica are clear favorites for this UEFA Europa League Qualification tie
It is not surprising that the Portuguese giants SL Benfica have been chalked as clear favorites at 1.18, with the draw coming in at 6.6 and Hearts Of Midlothian FC the outsider for this UEFA Europa League Qualification matchup. In this SL Benfica vs Hearts Of Midlothian FC preview, Benfica are clearly in better form, and have a much better all-round record, but there are reasons to believe that Hearts could at least make a game of this.
Wouter Vrancken has brought a much more proactive and attacking identity to Hearts, but the early signs are that they can be exposed in transition by good sides. Benfica are desperate to make more of their possession and play more through the middle, while Hearts will look to press high up and play forward quickly, and that contrast should open this game up if the visitors commit to trying to chase the game.
Benfica have won 6, drawn 2 and lost 2 of their last 10 across all competitions, and the form coming into Europe is pretty strong. Marco Silva's side have won their last 2 matches, a 5-1 home win over CF Os Belenenses in a friendly and a 5-0 home victory over FC St. Gallen in UEFA Europa League qualifying, so the attack is humming, which is why the SL Benfica vs Hearts Of Midlothian FC prediction points toward the home side controlling the contest.
Hearts have won 5, drawn 1 and lost 4 of their last 10 in all competitions, but they have lost their most recent 2 games, so they have lost their momentum coming into this game. Their 2 most recent results were a 4-0 away defeat to SK Sturm Graz and a 2-0 loss at home, both in UEFA Champions League qualifying, so the visitors are on a bit of a downswing here.
There are goals in this tie, but the odds for the home win are too short for us to support Benfica in the outright market, even though we feel this is a Benfica-controlled game and they will keep a clean sheet and win if they play compact. Our SL Benfica vs Hearts Of Midlothian FC betting tips lean to goals in this matchup and take Over 2.5 in the game at 1.47, but both teams to score in this one will be No, with that selection coming in at 1.6.
