sportnews full logo

Benfica vs Celtic Prediction: Key Stats and Betting Tips

Benfica welcome Celtic to Lisbon on 15 October 2026 in UEFA Europa League League Stage - 2, with the Portuguese side looking to turn their prolific early tournament form into another statement result. Although the official venue name is not listed, the tie brings European nights back to the Portuguese capital, where expectations are high after a ruthless start in front of goal.

Both teams are still on zero points in the standings only because no League Stage fixtures have been played yet, but the underlying Europa League stats paint very different pictures. Benfica arrive as one of the early pacesetters in the competition’s metrics, while Celtic are stepping into the group campaign with a clean statistical slate. For fans searching Benfica vs Celtic prediction and Benfica vs Celtic betting tips, this clash offers a classic contrast between an in-form attacking machine and an unknown quantity at this level of the current season.

There is also a layer of historical intrigue. The sides last met in UEFA Champions League action back in 2012, with Benfica unbeaten across the two matches. Now, in a new format and a different competition, Celtic will try to reset that narrative, while Benfica aim to underline their status as serious contenders in this Europa League edition.

Benfica vs Celtic Key Stats

  • Benfica are currently ranked 4th in the UEFA Europa League League Round table with 0 points and a strong recent form line of WWDWW coming into this phase.
  • The last time these clubs met in Lisbon, on 20 November 2012 in the UEFA Champions League, Benfica beat Celtic 2-1.
  • In recent Europa League tournament statistics, Benfica have scored 19 goals in 6 matches (average 3.2 per game) and kept 1 clean sheet.

Benfica vs Celtic — Tale of the Tape

  • Position: 4 vs 9
  • Points: 0 vs 0
  • Goals For: 0 vs 0
  • Goals Against: 0 vs 0
  • Clean Sheets: Benfica 1, Celtic 0 (tournament statistics)

The raw standings offer limited separation because neither side has yet kicked off its League Stage campaign: both sit on 0 points, with Benfica 4th and Celtic 9th in the overall League Round table. However, Benfica’s form tag of WWDWW coming into this phase hints at a team already in rhythm, while Celtic’s form is not yet recorded at this stage.

When we look at broader Europa League statistics for this season, Benfica’s edge becomes clear. Across 6 matches in the tournament, they have won 4, drawn 1 and lost just 1, scoring 19 and conceding only 6. That translates to an imposing 4.7 goals scored on average at home and 1.7 away, while conceding just 1.0 per game overall. Celtic, by contrast, have no competitive Europa League data logged yet this season: no matches played, no goals scored or conceded, and no established pattern of performance. On paper, this gives Benfica a significant statistical advantage heading into the tie.

Benfica vs Celtic Key Matchups

V. Pavlidis vs Celtic back line

Vangelis Pavlidis has been the standout attacking figure for Benfica in this Europa League campaign. The forward has made 3 appearances and already scored 5 goals, adding 1 assist to underline his all-round threat. He also features prominently across the assists and disciplinary charts, with 1 yellow card but no reds, showing he plays on the edge without crossing the line. Against a Celtic defence that has yet to be tested in this season’s competition — and with no recorded goals conceded or clean sheets beyond a basic 0–0 statistical baseline — Pavlidis’ finishing and movement in the box could be the decisive factor.

Rafa & creative midfield vs Celtic midfield unit

Behind Pavlidis, Rafa offers a vital creative and scoring outlet. In 4 Europa League appearances, the forward has contributed 2 goals and 1 assist, placing him among Benfica’s top performers in both scoring and assisting charts. Supporting cast members such as A. Schjelderup and D. Lukebakio have also chipped in with 1 goal and 1 assist each, while midfielders like H. Sudakov, J. Kamiński and L. Barreiro have all registered at least 1 assist. That spread of creativity across the midfield and wide areas suggests Celtic’s central trio, built around experienced names like C. McGregor and A. Oxlade-Chamberlain, will need to be compact and disciplined to prevent Benfica from overloading the half-spaces and creating high-quality chances.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

These clubs share a modest but intriguing recent European history, all from the 2012 UEFA Champions League group stage. Benfica have yet to lose to Celtic in that mini-series, and the Lisbon fixture in particular will linger in Scottish memories.

  • 20 November 2012: Benfica 2-1 Celtic (UEFA Champions League)
  • 19 September 2012: Celtic 0-0 Benfica (UEFA Champions League)

Benfica vs Celtic Prediction

All indicators point towards Benfica entering this match as clear favourites. Their Europa League attacking numbers are outstanding: 19 goals in 6 matches, with multiple games hitting 4+ goals, and only 6 conceded. Their recent form line of LWWDWW in tournament play, combined with a last-five performance index of 87 in form and 100 in attack, suggests a side that not only wins but does so convincingly, especially at home.

Celtic, meanwhile, are something of a statistical unknown in this specific competition phase. Their last-five metrics are flat at 0 in attack and defence simply because they have not yet played. While that leaves room for surprise, it also means there is no evidence they can match Benfica’s current Europa League intensity away from home. Historically, Celtic have struggled in Lisbon, and the 2012 defeat is a reminder of how difficult this trip can be.

The prediction model assigns a 50% chance of a Benfica win and 50% for the draw, with virtually no probability allocated to a Celtic victory (0%). With no exact goals forecast available, the most sensible projection is a controlled but comfortable home success, with Benfica’s firepower eventually breaking down a Celtic side that may initially sit deep.

Predicted Score: Benfica 2-0 Celtic

Benfica Recent Form

Benfica arrive in the Europa League League Stage with strong momentum. Their recorded form string in tournament play is LWWDWW, reflecting 4 wins, 1 draw and just 1 defeat across 6 matches. In that run they have averaged 3.2 goals per game while conceding only 1.0, including a biggest home win of 6-1 and an away success of 3-1. They have also kept 1 clean sheet and scored in every match, underlining their reliability at both ends of the pitch.

Celtic Recent Form

Celtic’s specific Europa League form for this season is not yet documented, with no fixtures played and no goals scored or conceded in the competition so far. Their last-five index in the predictions data sits at 0 in both attack and defence purely because there is no sample to assess. As such, they enter the League Stage as a statistical blank slate, making this trip to Lisbon an early and very stern examination of their European credentials.

Benfica Possible Starting Lineup

Based on the current squad list and recent Europa League usage, Benfica’s likely core could feature: A. Trubin (GK); C. Lenglet, A. Bah, Tomás Araújo, S. Dahl (Defenders); Joāo Palhinha, L. Barreiro, E. Barrenechea, H. Sudakov, J. Kamiński, Rafa (Midfielders); V. Pavlidis, D. Lukebakio, J. Durán, G. Prestianni, A. Schjelderup, Bruma (Forwards/Attackers).

Benfica have alternated between 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-3-2 across 5 recorded Europa League lineups, with both systems built to maximise the output of Pavlidis and the wide creators. The presence of multiple midfielders with at least 1 assist — including Sudakov, Kamiński, Barreiro and Bah from full-back — suggests a fluid, attack-minded shape. With no key absences listed, the coach should be able to field a near full-strength side, maintaining the high pressing and multi-channel attacking threat that has produced 19 goals in 6 tournament matches.

Celtic Possible Starting Lineup

Celtic’s squad offers several experienced options: V. Sinisalo or S. Johnstone (GK); C. Carter-Vickers, A. Johnston, K. Tierney, A. Trusty, L. Scales (Defenders); C. McGregor, A. Oxlade-Chamberlain, O. Sørensen, Yang Hyun-Jun, M. Baur, L. McCowan (Midfielders); K. Høgh, B. Nygren, Shumaira Mheuka, C. Durán (Attackers).

Without Europa League lineups logged for this season, it is difficult to pin down a definitive shape, but the personnel suggests a back four with McGregor anchoring midfield and Oxlade-Chamberlain providing forward thrust. Wide options like Yang Hyun-Jun and L. McCowan could be vital in transition, while K. Høgh or B. Nygren would likely lead the line. Celtic may opt for a more conservative, compact setup in Lisbon, seeking to frustrate Benfica and exploit counters rather than engaging in a high-tempo shootout.

Benfica Team News

No significant absences reported.

Celtic Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

Benfica:

  • None reported.

Celtic:

  • None reported.

Betting Tips: Benfica vs Celtic

Exactly 3 betting angles stand out for this Europa League clash, built around Benfica’s strong tournament metrics and Celtic’s untested status in this phase.

  • Result Tip: Back Benfica to win. Benfica are the predicted winner with a 50% chance of victory and 50% for the draw, while Celtic are given 0% win probability. Combined with Benfica’s 4 wins from 6 Europa League matches and a powerful home scoring average of 4.7 goals, the home win is the logical result-based play. (No odds data available in the current feed.)
  • Goals Tip: Benfica over 1.5 team goals. Benfica have scored 19 goals in 6 Europa League games (3.2 per match) and have hit 4 or more in several outings, while Celtic’s defensive level in this competition is unknown. With Benfica’s attacking last-five index at 100 and their goals-for distribution strong across all 15-minute windows, backing them to score at least twice looks a solid goals market angle. (No odds data available in the current feed.)
  • Value Tip: V. Pavlidis to score anytime. Pavlidis has 5 goals and 1 assist in just 3 Europa League appearances, leading both the scoring and assist charts for Benfica while also appearing among the top yellow-carded players, indicating high involvement. Against a Celtic side with no current Europa League defensive record, his form and central role in Benfica’s attack make an anytime goalscorer bet an appealing value proposition. (No odds data available in the current feed.)

Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.

Related Articles