The battle for a spot in the group stages of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League season continues as Portuguese powerhouse Benfica face a tough trip to France against Nice in the first leg of the third qualifying round. Ayomide Oguntimehin exclusively for Footy-Africa looks ahead to the July 6th clash and provides the prediction and best betting odds.
OGC Nice vs Benfica Match Preview
Nice return to the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Champions League for the first time since the 2017-18 season when they lost to Italian side Napoli 4-0 on aggregate in the play-off round, after they finished the 2024-25 French League season in fourth-place. Les Aiglons finished the season level on points with Lille, edging on goal difference. They featured in the UEFA Europa League last season, finishing a dismal European campaign in 35th place in the new 36-team format. Nice have also enjoyed an impressive preseason campaign so far, recording brilliant results against Belgiumβs Cercle Brugge and Dutch Eredivisie side Feyenoord. They face a daunting task of overcoming Benfica, who stand on their path of reaching the group stages for the first time in over 60 years.
Two-time champions Benfica, on the other hand, will hope to make a return to the UEFA Champions League group stages after suffering a round of 16 exit to Spanish champions Barcelona in the previous campaign. The Portuguese side had a decent run at the recently-concluded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, reaching the round of 16 before losing in extra-time to Chelsea. The highlight of their tournament was a shock 1-0 win over German champions Bayern Munich to finish top of their group. The Eagles finished the 2024-25 Portuguese League season in second position for a second successive season, losing out on the title to Sporting Lisbon. However in their last outing, Vangelis Pavlidis scored the only goal of the game as they secured a 1-0 win over the Lions in the Portuguese Super Cup.
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OGC Nice vs Benfica Head to Head Record
- 15.07.2022 – Benfica 3-0 Nice
- 27.07.2013 – Benfica 2-1 Nice
This will be a first-ever competitive meeting between both clubs, although Benfica have dominated the two previous encounters in friendly matches between both sides.
Recent Form: OGC Nice
Nice head into the clash on the back of an impressive run. Los Aiglons have won five of their last seven matches in all competitions, losing just once. They only failed to score multiple times in one game during this run, a 2-0 friendly loss to German side St Pauli, while they conceded in five of these matches.
Recent Form: Benfica
Benfica have also enjoyed a very fine form, winning four of their last six matches. They are yet to lose in regular time in 19 matches, dating back to a 3-1 defeat to Barcelona in March, while the defeat to Chelsea in the Club World Cup and to Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese Cup final were in extra-time.
The Eagles have kept three clean sheets in their last five matches, showing massive improvement in their defense, having conceded in five straight matches between May and June.
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The Nigerian striker has continued to work his way back to full fitness since returning from a Cruciate Ligament tear last season. The 26-year-old has scored once since his return, while his pace and movement off-the-ball will offer enough threat against the Portuguese side.
Best Betting Odds
Away (Benfica) to Win or Draw – 1.40 (via1xBet)
Prediction
Benfica have reached the UCL group stages for 15 consecutive seasons and will be expected to continue the trend with a favorable result against their lesser-experienced opponents. The Eagles also have enough quality in their ranks to hurt the French side and seal a fair result.
