🦅 Last season, Benfica reached the UEFA Champions League knockout stage despite finishing 24th in the league phase. As a result, the Portuguese giants are considered one of the leading contenders to win the UEFA Europa League this season. 🏅 However, after finishing third in the Primeira Liga, the Eagles must begin their European campaign from the second qualifying round.
📊 Unsurprisingly, the bookmakers heavily favor the visitors:
🇨🇭 St. Gallen – 6.62
🤝 Draw – 4.82
🦅 Benfica – 1.42
➡️ The odds to qualify for the third qualifying round are even more one-sided:
🇨🇭 St. Gallen – 6.93
🦅 Benfica – 1.08
⚽️ A high-scoring encounter is expected, with Over 2.5 Goals priced at 1.53.
🎯 Both Teams to Score is available at 1.76.
🤔 But is the Swiss Super League runner-up really without a chance?
🔄 Following the departure of José Mourinho, Benfica also lost several key players. Most notably, the defense has been weakened by the absence of 2026 World Cup finalist Nicolás Otamendi, leaving a significant gap in the heart of the back line.
💪 Even so, the Eagles remain the clear favorites in this tie. 🦅 Their quality, experience, and status as one of Portugal’s biggest clubs make them the team expected to progress.
