Benfica vs OFI Predicted Lineups: Team News for UEFA Europa League
Benfica host OFI in Lisbon in the final round of the UEFA Europa League league stage, with both sides looking to consolidate their positions in the overall table. Benfica come into this clash listed 4th in the league round ranking, while OFI sit 25th. Although both teams are still on 0 points in the global league table with no official matches recorded in this phase, their separate Europa League form indicators point to an intriguing stylistic clash.
Benfica’s broader Europa League record shows a strong attacking profile: 19 goals scored in 6 fixtures at an average of 3.2 per game, backed by a recent form line of LWWDWW. OFI, by contrast, have a perfect Europa League form line of WW, scoring 5 goals and conceding none in their two games so far. That defensive solidity will be tested in Lisbon against one of the competition’s most prolific forward lines. With no official starting lineup available yet, this preview focuses on analytically built predicted lineups and how the expected starting XIs could shape the contest.
With knockout qualification and seeding implications in play across the league stage, this fixture matters for both sides’ longer-term European ambitions. Benfica will expect to impose themselves at home, while OFI arrive with a compact, resilient setup that has yet to concede in this Europa League campaign.
Benfica Team News & Expected Lineups Today
There are no confirmed absentees listed for Benfica ahead of this tie, so the working assumption is a full squad at the manager’s disposal. That allows a strong, attack-minded selection built around in-form forwards and creative midfielders. Benfica’s Europa League form (LWWDWW in their broader league record) suggests they are in a good rhythm, especially at home where they have been scoring heavily.
Tactically, Benfica are expected to set up in an attacking-minded shape, leaning on their usual high-tempo, front-foot approach. The lineup data from recent Europa League matches shows they have alternated between a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-1-3-2 structure, but whatever the exact shape on the night, the emphasis should again be on flooding the final third and creating chances for star striker Vangelis Pavlidis. With several players among the competition’s top scorers and assist providers, the manager has the tools to rotate while still fielding a very strong expected XI.
Benfica Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup
Predicted Starting XI:
GK: A. Trubin
DF: A. Bah; C. Lenglet; Tomás Araújo; S. El Karouani
MF: João Palhinha; H. Sudakov; J. Kamiński; Rafa
FW: V. Pavlidis; D. Lukebakio
This predicted starting lineup leans heavily on Benfica’s most productive Europa League performers. V. Pavlidis is the standout name: 5 goals and 1 assist already make him one of the competition’s elite forwards, and he also features at the top of the yellow-card charts, underlining his aggressive, all-action style in the final third. Around him, Rafa (2 goals, 1 assist) offers penetration between the lines and late runs into the box, while D. Lukebakio and J. Kamiński both appear among the top assist providers, giving Benfica multiple creative outlets in wide and half-space zones.
In midfield, H. Sudakov and L. Barreiro are among the Europa League assist leaders for Benfica, but for balance this predicted XI pairs the physical presence and screening of João Palhinha with the progressive passing of Sudakov and the vertical running of Kamiński. At the back, C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo have both contributed on the scoresheet in Europe, with Lenglet adding a goal and Araújo also scoring once. A. Bah, who has an assist and appears across the cards and assists lists, is expected to provide width and overlapping thrust on the right, while S. El Karouani profiles as a natural complement on the left from the available defensive pool. Behind them, A. Trubin is the logical choice as first-choice goalkeeper from the squad list, anchoring a back line that will look to give Benfica’s high-powered attack the platform to dominate.
OFI Team News & Expected Lineups Today
OFI also arrive without any listed injuries or suspensions, meaning the manager can choose freely from a balanced squad that has started this Europa League campaign with two wins from two and no goals conceded. Their league form string of WW, combined with a defensive record of 0 goals against across those games, points to a well-drilled unit that prioritises compactness and discipline.
Lineup data indicates OFI have consistently used a shape with three central defenders and wing-backs, built around a 3-4-3 structure. That is likely to continue in Lisbon, with the visitors aiming to keep a solid back five without the ball and break quickly through a mobile front line. When fans look at the lineups today, they should expect a pragmatic, counter-attacking XI that sacrifices some possession for defensive stability and transitional threat.
OFI Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup
Predicted Starting XI:
GK: N. Christogeorgos
DF: N. Marinakis; D. Nikolaou; A. Poungouras
MF: L. Dickmann; G. Kanellópoulos; A. Bouchalakis; T. Androutsos
FW: Aitor Cantalapiedra; T. Fountas; K. Kodro
This predicted lineup reflects OFI’s recent preference for three central defenders and a hard-working midfield four in front of them. N. Marinakis, D. Nikolaou and A. Poungouras form a physically strong back three, with Marinakis and Poungouras capable of stepping wide to cover the channels when the wing-backs push on. L. Dickmann and T. Androutsos are well suited to the wing-back roles, providing width on both sides and supporting both phases of play.
Centrally, G. Kanellópoulos and A. Bouchalakis offer control and experience, tasked with screening the defence and trying to disrupt Benfica’s combinations between the lines. Up front, Aitor Cantalapiedra, T. Fountas and K. Kodro give OFI a mix of movement, finishing and aerial presence. While we lack individual Europa League scoring data for OFI’s players, their team attacking numbers (5 goals in 2 games, averaging 2.5 per match) show that this front three can be efficient if given space in transition.
Injuries and Suspended Players Impact
With no officially listed injuries or suspensions for either side, the primary selection questions revolve around tactical choices rather than enforced absences. That should raise the overall quality of the contest, as both managers can field close to their strongest possible lineups and adjust in-game with deep benches.
Benfica Absences:
- No significant absences reported.
OFI Absences:
- No significant absences reported.
Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up
The tactical battle is likely to pit Benfica’s high-powered, possession-oriented attack against OFI’s compact defensive block and sharp transitions. Benfica’s broader Europa League numbers are striking: 19 goals in 6 games, with a particularly strong output at home (14 goals in 3 fixtures, averaging 4.7 per match). Their attack index in the comparison data stands at 78 versus OFI’s 22, underlining their superior firepower. With Pavlidis, Rafa, D. Lukebakio, A. Schjelderup, J. Durán and G. Prestianni all on the scoring charts, Benfica can rotate their front line without losing much quality.
OFI, however, bring an exceptional defensive record into this game: 0 goals conceded in two Europa League matches, and a defensive index advantage of 100 versus Benfica’s 0 in the comparison block. Their Poisson index is also weighted heavily in their favour (100 vs 0), suggesting that in certain modelling frameworks their low-event, tight-game profile can be very effective. The visitors will likely sit in a mid-to-low block, with the back three plus wing-backs forming a five-man line to crowd out Pavlidis and deny Rafa space between the lines. The key zones will be the half-spaces and wide channels: if A. Bah and S. El Karouani (or their alternatives) can pin back Dickmann and Androutsos, Benfica will be able to sustain pressure and create overloads. Conversely, if OFI’s wing-backs win their duels and spring forward quickly, they can exploit the space left behind Benfica’s aggressive full-backs.
Match Prediction and Verdict
Overall comparison indices favour Benfica by 73.0 to 27.0, and the outcome probabilities point to a very balanced market: 35% chance of a Benfica win, 35% for the draw and 30% for an OFI victory. Despite the relatively narrow gap in those percentages, the prediction model still names Benfica as the expected winner, driven by their superior attacking metrics and home advantage in Lisbon.
OFI’s perfect defensive record and compact structure mean this is unlikely to be a straightforward home win, especially if Benfica struggle to break down the visitors’ block early on. However, the depth of attacking options – with Pavlidis in prolific form and multiple creative outlets in Rafa, Lukebakio, Schjelderup and others – tilts the balance slightly towards the hosts. Expect Benfica to dominate territory and shots, with OFI dangerous on the counter but perhaps lacking the sustained threat to outscore the Portuguese side over 90 minutes.
Predicted Outcome: Benfica 1–0 OFI
How to Watch Benfica vs OFI Worldwide
Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:
- Spain: Local sports pay-TV channel / streaming platform
- UK: Major sports subscription broadcaster
- USA / North America: Premium soccer streaming service
- South America: Regional cable sports network
- MENA: Pan-regional sports satellite network
