Benfica vs OFI Predicted Lineups and Team News – UEFA Europa League

Benfica host OFI in Lisbon in the final matchday of the UEFA Europa League League Stage, a fixture that could prove decisive for seeding and momentum heading into the knockout rounds. Although both sides are listed with 0 points and 0 games played in the overall league table structure, their separate Europa League form guides paint a very different picture. Benfica arrive with a strong recent European record of LWWDWW, scoring 19 goals in 6 games and averaging 3.2 goals per match, while OFI have started their continental campaign with two wins from two and a perfect defensive record.

With Benfica ranked 4th in the League Round standings structure and OFI down in 25th, this looks on paper like a meeting between a heavyweight and an ambitious outsider. The comparison indices back that up: the overall comparison index sits at 73.0 vs 27.0 in favour of Benfica, with the attack index 78% vs 22%. Even so, OFI’s 100% defensive index and two clean sheets suggest they will not be easy to break down. That makes the predicted lineups and expected starting lineup choices particularly important, as both managers look to balance control, creativity, and defensive stability on a potentially pivotal European night.

With no official team sheets yet available, this preview focuses on analytically derived predicted lineups based on squad lists, recent usage patterns, and key player statistics from the Europa League campaign so far. These predicted lineups offer a clear view of who is most likely to feature in the starting lineup and how the tactical battle could unfold.

Benfica Team News & Expected Lineups Today

There are no listed injuries or suspensions for Benfica in this fixture, so the expectation is that they will be close to full strength for this Europa League clash in Lisbon. Their recent European form of LWWDWW, combined with a prolific attack averaging 4.7 goals per game at home in this competition, suggests an aggressive, front-foot approach is likely from the start.

Given the stakes of the final League Stage round and Benfica’s strong attacking metrics, an expected setup will lean heavily on their most productive forwards and creative midfielders. With a deep pool of options and no significant absences reported, the focus will be on selecting a balanced but attack-minded starting lineup that can break down OFI’s well-organised defence while still maintaining enough control in midfield.

Benfica Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: A. Trubin
DF: A. Bah; C. Lenglet; Tomás Araújo; S. El Karouani
MF: João Palhinha; L. Barreiro; H. Sudakov; J. Kamiński; Rafa
FW: V. Pavlidis

This predicted lineup leans on Benfica’s established Europa League core. In goal, A. Trubin is the logical first choice from a strong goalkeeping group. At the back, C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo both stand out not only as natural central defenders but also as contributors in the opposition box, each having scored once in this Europa League campaign. A. Bah offers energy and delivery from the right, with one assist and notable involvement in both the top assists and top yellow cards lists, while S. El Karouani profiles as the natural left-sided option from the defensive pool.

In midfield, João Palhinha provides the physical screen and ball-winning presence in front of the defence, with L. Barreiro offering box-to-box balance and one assist in Europe. H. Sudakov and J. Kamiński, both listed among Benfica’s top assist providers, are expected to operate as advanced or wide midfielders, knitting play together and feeding the forward line. Rafa, who has 2 goals and 1 assist in the competition, is a nailed-on starter in an attacking midfield or wide role, carrying a constant threat between the lines and in transition.

Up front, V. Pavlidis is the undisputed focal point. He leads the Europa League scoring charts for Benfica with 5 goals and 1 assist, and appears across the top scorers, top assists, and top cards lists, underlining his central importance. The expected setup will revolve around providing him with steady service from the flanks and half-spaces, with Rafa, Sudakov, and Kamiński all key to unlocking OFI’s defence.

OFI Team News & Expected Lineups Today

OFI also enter this tie without any reported injuries or suspensions, giving them a full squad to choose from as they travel to Lisbon. Their Europa League form is pristine so far: two wins from two, 5 goals scored and none conceded, plus a 100% defensive index in the comparison metrics. That suggests a compact, disciplined unit that has been extremely effective at both ends in a small but impressive sample.

Given the step up in opposition quality and the away setting, OFI’s lineups today are expected to reflect a pragmatic approach. Their previous Europa League matches show a preference for a three-at-the-back system (with a 3-4-3 shape recorded in both outings), and the predicted starting lineup here continues that theme: three central defenders, energetic wing-backs, a hard-working midfield duo, and a flexible front three capable of both pressing and counter-attacking.

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

Between the posts, N. Christogeorgos is a strong candidate to start, with OFI’s perfect defensive record in Europe built on reliable goalkeeping and organisation. The back three of N. Marinakis, D. Nikolaou, and A. Poungouras brings experience and size, well-suited to dealing with Benfica’s aerial threat and the movement of V. Pavlidis. This trio also gives OFI the platform to maintain their preferred three-man defensive line without sacrificing too much width.

In midfield, L. Dickmann and T. Androutsos are expected to operate as wing-backs, providing the width in both phases and supporting transitions. Inside them, G. Kanellópoulos and A. Bouchalakis form a technically strong and tactically disciplined central pair, capable of recycling possession and closing down Benfica’s creative midfielders. Further forward, Aitor Cantalapiedra and T. Fountas offer mobility and creativity either side of K. Kodro, who profiles as the central reference point in attack. This predicted front three should allow OFI to press selectively and break quickly into the spaces Benfica leave when they commit numbers forward.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no injuries or suspensions listed for either side, squad availability should not distort the tactical plans or the predicted lineups for this match. Both managers can select from their full registered Europa League groups, which increases competition for places and allows for in-game adjustments from the bench.

Benfica Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

OFI Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

The predicted lineups point towards a clear stylistic clash. Benfica, with their strong attacking numbers (19 goals in 6 Europa League matches, including a 6-1 home win in their biggest victory), are likely to dominate possession and territory. Their expected structure, built around an attacking midfield line of Rafa, J. Kamiński, and H. Sudakov behind V. Pavlidis, is designed to overload central spaces and half-channels. Full-backs A. Bah and S. El Karouani will be key to stretching OFI’s back line horizontally, creating the gaps that Pavlidis and the advanced midfielders can exploit.

OFI’s predicted 3-4-3-based setup is tailored to absorb that pressure. The back three of N. Marinakis, D. Nikolaou, and A. Poungouras, shielded by a hard-working double pivot of G. Kanellópoulos and A. Bouchalakis, gives them numbers in central defensive zones to crowd out Pavlidis and cut passing lanes into Rafa. The wing-backs, L. Dickmann and T. Androutsos, will have a crucial role in tracking Benfica’s wide surges while also offering an outlet on the break. With OFI’s Europa League goals spread across different time windows and a strong record late in games (40% of their goals between minutes 76–90), their counter-attacking threat in the second half could be significant if Benfica overcommit.

Key positional battles will likely emerge in midfield. João Palhinha’s ability to dominate duels and second balls will be central to Benfica’s control, while L. Barreiro and Sudakov will look to connect quickly with the forward line. For OFI, Bouchalakis’ passing range and Kanellópoulos’ work rate must combine to beat Benfica’s press and find early passes into Aitor Cantalapiedra and T. Fountas. If OFI can consistently turn Benfica’s high line and isolate their wide centre-backs in transition, they can exploit the defensive index imbalance, where Benfica’s defensive comparison index is 0% against OFI’s 100% in the early Europa League sample.

Match Prediction and Verdict

The prediction model designates Benfica as the likely winners, with the advice explicitly favouring the home side. However, the win probabilities are more balanced than one might expect: 35% for a Benfica win, 35% for a draw, and 30% for an OFI victory. That reflects both OFI’s perfect defensive start and Benfica’s occasional vulnerability at the back despite their attacking firepower.

The Poisson index interestingly leans 0 vs 100 in favour of OFI, while the overall comparison index sits at 73.0 vs 27.0 for Benfica. Interpreted together, this suggests that while Benfica have the stronger overall profile and attacking edge, OFI’s defensive solidity and game-state management make them a live underdog, particularly if they can keep the game tight into the second half. With both teams at full strength and Benfica’s frontline in excellent form, the most likely scenario is a narrow home win in a competitive match where OFI still create moments of danger on the break.

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 broadcaster or official UEFA Europa League rights holder
• USA / North America: Subscription-based soccer streaming service
• South America: Regional sports network with UEFA rights
• MENA: Satellite sports network and associated streaming app