Benfica vs Hearts Predictions

• Hearts lost 6-0 on aggregate to Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying
• Benfica beat Switzerland’s St Gallen 6-2 on aggregate in the previous round
• Hearts have lost their last four competitive games

Europa League could be out of reach for Hearts

Hearts have dropped down into Europa League qualifying after losing their Champions League double-header with Sturm Graz and now they face Portuguese giants Benfica over two legs, with the first taking place in Lisbon.

If the Jambos lose this tie they will drop down into the Conference League play-off round so they could still secure European football – but they would be an unseeded team in that draw.

Hearts were outclassed by Austria’s Sturm Graz over two legs as they lost 6-0 on aggregate. On balance, a 6-0 margin of victory perhaps flattered Sturm Graz but Hearts can have no complaints over losing the tie and Benfica represent a massive step up in quality.

The best angle here could be backing Benfica to win without conceding as they crushed St Gallen 5-0 in the last round of Europa League qualifiers in their home leg. As Aguias also had a solid defensive record at home last season with three clean sheets in their final six games at the Estadio da Luz, and they claimed some notable scalps in the Champions League last season by beating both Napoli and Real Madrid in home games.

Hearts lost out on the Premiership title on the final day of the season last term and the early signs suggest it could take them a while to shake off that disappointment. They have lost all three of their games so far this term and have scored just one goal, and they look a weaker team this season after a change in manager and a host of exits over the summer.

Hearts shipped four at Sturm Graz in the first leg of that tie and Benfica may be able to go one better. A 5-0 win for the hosts is the pick as they will be looking to kill this tie off before these sides clash in Edinburgh, and they could run riot against a Jambos side who are yet to get going.

Vangelis Pavlidis scored 22 goals in Portugal’s top tier last season and he scored four of Benfica’s five in their last European game. The Greek forward looks the best contender for an anytime effort on Thursday.