Benfica will take the some stopping in the Europa League and should ease into the last four on Thursday.
The Portuguese host AZ Alkmaar having banked a 1-0 win in Holland seven days ago, Eduardo Salvio with the only goal, and can progress with the minimum of fuss.
Benfica would not look out of place at this stage of the Champions League but came unstuck in the group section, PSG and Olympiakos qualifying at their expense, and will be keen to make amends.
PAOK and Tottenham have already been brushed aside in the knockout phase of this competition and Benfica will be desperate to go one better than when runners-up to Chelsea twelve months ago.
The Primeira League title is virtually a formality for Benfica, seven points clear at the summit, and I’ve been really impressed when watching them in action this term.
It is now 32 matches unbeaten domestically on home soil and Benfica have won each of their last seven top flight fixtures in front of their own fans, all without conceding a goal.
Their upcoming opponents are currently languishing in seventh place in the Eredivisie and the Stadio da Luz is a fortress which is unlikely to be breached by Dick Advocaat’s side.
If visiting striker Aron Johannsson can be subdued then it is hard to see how AZ can trouble a back line as stingy as Benfica’s and I like the look of the host to win to nil.
Just 1/3 in the match odds market, you can get evens about a victory for the former European Cup Winners while keeping a clean sheet and this could be a comfortable evening.
AZ have won just once in their previous seven matches, failing to score on four occasions, and never face opponents of the quality they’ll face on Thursday domestically.
2pts Back Benfica To Win To Nil (vs. AZ Alkmaar) @ Evens (Bet 365)