Benfica vs Celtic Predicted Lineups: Team News for UEFA Europa League

Benfica host Celtic in Lisbon in the League Stage of the UEFA Europa League, with both clubs looking to establish early momentum in a long-format section. Benfica come into this fixture ranked 4th in the overall league table, yet to play a game but backed by a strong recent record in continental action. Their domestic and European form line of LWWDWW underlines how dangerous they have been going forward, and that attacking edge will heavily shape any predicted lineups discussion.

Celtic arrive ranked 9th in the Europa League standings, also on 0 points with no games played so far in this season’s competition. With no league form string recorded yet, the Scottish champions are more of an unknown quantity at this stage, especially away from Glasgow. Historically, this matchup has been tight – their last two European meetings in the 2012 UEFA Champions League produced a draw at Celtic Park and a narrow 2-1 Benfica win in Lisbon – and that context adds extra intrigue to the expected starting lineup choices on both sides.

With official team sheets not yet available, this preview focuses on analytically driven predicted lineups built from current squads, form indicators and key player statistics. Benfica’s prolific Europa League scorers such as V. Pavlidis and Rafa are central to any expected starting lineup, while Celtic’s selection puzzle revolves around a deep defensive unit and a spread of attacking options without a standout statistical leader yet in this competition.

Benfica Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Benfica enter this tie in excellent shape in terms of recent performance metrics. Their last six Europa League fixtures show four wins, one draw and one defeat, with 19 goals scored and just 6 conceded. The form string of LWWDWW at league level highlights a side that tends to respond well after setbacks and maintains a high attacking output over time. With no official injury list reported for this match, the working assumption is that the coach has close to a full squad available when building the expected lineup.

Given their recent attacking dominance – including a last-five offensive output of 18 goals at an average of 3.6 per game – Benfica are likely to lean into an attack-minded shape again. Past Europa League lineups suggest a preference for structures that use a clear central striker supported by multiple creative and running threats from midfield and wide areas. Expect the predicted lineups today to revolve around V. Pavlidis as the reference point in attack, with Rafa and a cluster of technically strong midfielders like H. Sudakov and J. Kamiński tasked with supplying chances between the lines and from the flanks.

Benfica Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: A. Trubin
DF: A. Bah, C. Lenglet, Tomás Araújo, S. El Karouani
MF: Joāo Palhinha, E. Barrenechea, H. Sudakov, J. Kamiński, Rafa
FW: V. Pavlidis

This predicted starting lineup is built around continuity in Benfica’s strongest zones. In goal, A. Trubin is the standout choice from the goalkeeper pool, offering stability behind a back line anchored by C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo. Both central defenders have already contributed offensively in the Europa League – Lenglet and Tomás Araújo each have a goal to their name – underlining their threat on set pieces. A. Bah is a natural pick at right-back, combining defensive reliability with one assist and regular involvement in advanced areas, while S. El Karouani is a logical fit on the opposite flank from the available defenders.

In midfield, Joāo Palhinha provides the ball-winning and screening presence that allows Benfica’s more creative profiles to flourish. Alongside him, E. Barrenechea offers balance and distribution, while H. Sudakov and J. Kamiński bring progressive passing and final-third link play – each has already registered an assist in this Europa League campaign. Rafa completes a very aggressive midfield/second-line unit; with 2 goals and 1 assist, he is one of Benfica’s primary goal threats from deeper or wide starting positions.

Up front, V. Pavlidis is the undisputed focal point. With 5 goals and 1 assist in just 3 Europa League appearances, he leads both the scoring and assist charts for Benfica, and also tops their disciplinary lists for yellow cards, reflecting how central he is to every phase of their attacking game. The expected shape around him is designed to flood the final third with runners and creators, ensuring he receives frequent service from wide and central zones. With alternative forwards such as D. Lukebakio, A. Schjelderup, J. Durán and G. Prestianni available from the bench, Benfica can also adjust the front line profile in-game if needed.

Celtic Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Celtic’s Europa League campaign is only just beginning, and they arrive without any recorded matches in this season’s competition. That means no established form string, no goals for or against, and no prior tactical patterns in this specific tournament to lean on. However, the squad list indicates a strong defensive core and a mix of experienced and emerging talent across midfield and attack. With no injuries or suspensions listed, the coaching staff should have the full group at their disposal when selecting the lineups today.

Given Benfica’s attacking power and the comparison indices that heavily favour the Portuguese side in overall strength and attacking output, Celtic are likely to prioritise compactness and defensive organisation in their expected setup. A deep, disciplined back line featuring leaders like C. Carter-Vickers and K. Tierney, supported by industrious midfielders such as C. McGregor and A. Oxlade-Chamberlain, seems the most probable route. From there, the Scottish champions can look to break through pace and direct running from wide and central forwards like K. Høgh, B. Nygren and S. Tounekti.

Celtic Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: V. Sinisalo
DF: A. Johnston, C. Carter-Vickers, L. Scales, K. Tierney
MF: C. McGregor, O. Sørensen, A. Oxlade-Chamberlain, Yang Hyun-Jun, L. McCowan
FW: K. Høgh

In goal, V. Sinisalo is a logical predicted starter from a trio of senior keepers, offering a blend of age, experience and development upside. The back four is built around C. Carter-Vickers and L. Scales as a robust central pairing, flanked by A. Johnston on the right and K. Tierney on the left – both full-backs capable of contributing in both halves of the pitch. This unit should give Celtic the best chance of withstanding Benfica’s pressure and dealing with the aerial and penalty-area presence of V. Pavlidis.

Midfield is where Celtic must find the balance between protection and progression. C. McGregor is the natural pivot and on-ball organiser, while O. Sørensen adds legs and defensive coverage in central areas. A. Oxlade-Chamberlain can operate as a more advanced midfielder, carrying the ball into space and linking with the front line. Wide or half-space roles for Yang Hyun-Jun and L. McCowan provide dribbling and crossing threat, as well as the ability to track Benfica’s full-backs. Up front, K. Høgh leads the line as a central striker, with support from alternative attacking options such as C. Durán, B. Nygren and Shumaira Mheuka available to change the game state from the bench.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no official list of injuries or suspensions recorded for this fixture, both teams are treated as having full squads available for selection. That significantly raises the tactical ceiling on each side, as coaches can pick their strongest possible lineups and adjust in-game with deep benches.

Benfica Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Celtic Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

This matchup sets a high-powered Benfica attack against a Celtic side that, on paper, is likely to prioritise defensive solidity and structured transitions. Benfica’s recent Europa League record – 19 goals in 6 games, with an average of 4.7 scored per home match – suggests they will dominate territory and possession. The predicted front six of Joāo Palhinha, E. Barrenechea, H. Sudakov, J. Kamiński, Rafa and V. Pavlidis is built to overload central and half-space zones, with full-backs A. Bah and S. El Karouani pushing on to stretch Celtic horizontally. Pavlidis’ movement between the lines and into the box will constantly test the concentration and positioning of C. Carter-Vickers and L. Scales.

For Celtic, the key tactical question is how effectively they can compress space in their defensive third without completely surrendering attacking threat. With A. Johnston and K. Tierney expected to form the full-back pair, they will need to choose their moments to advance carefully, given the counter-attacking speed of Rafa and the late-arriving threat from midfield. C. McGregor and O. Sørensen must protect the central lane, tracking runners like H. Sudakov and J. Kamiński while also providing an outlet to relieve pressure. In transition, Celtic’s best route may be quick vertical passes into K. Høgh, supported by wide runners such as Yang Hyun-Jun or L. McCowan attacking the space behind Benfica’s advanced full-backs. However, Benfica’s strong comparison indices in attack and overall quality – reflected in a total comparison index of 73.5 vs 26.5 – indicate that the home side should control most of the game’s key phases.

Match Prediction and Verdict

All available indicators point towards Benfica as clear favourites in this Europa League League Stage encounter. The prediction model assigns a 50% chance of a Benfica win and 50% for a draw, with effectively no probability given to a Celtic victory. While that split suggests some respect for Celtic’s ability to frustrate, the attacking data, head-to-head record and recent form all lean strongly towards the Portuguese side. Benfica have not failed to score in any of their last six Europa League outings, and their home scoring rate is particularly impressive.

Celtic’s lack of recorded Europa League form this season introduces a degree of uncertainty, but it is difficult to argue against the depth and firepower of Benfica’s predicted lineup. With V. Pavlidis in prolific form, Rafa offering a constant threat between the lines, and multiple creative midfielders capable of unlocking a deep block, the hosts should create enough chances to take control of the tie. Celtic’s best hope lies in a disciplined defensive performance and clinical finishing on the counter, yet the balance of probabilities suggests Benfica will find a way through.

Predicted Outcome: Benfica 1–0 Celtic

How to Watch Benfica vs Celtic 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 broadcaster or official UEFA Europa League rights holder
• USA / North America: Subscription-based soccer streaming service
• South America: Regional cable sports network
• MENA: Pan-regional satellite sports broadcaster