Plzen vs Benfica: Predicted Lineups and Team News for UEFA Europa League

Plzen welcome Benfica to Doosan Arena in a key UEFA Europa League League Stage – 5 clash, with both sides looking to strengthen their position in the overall league round table. Plzen are currently listed 36th in the league round ranking, while Benfica sit much higher at 4th. Although both clubs are yet to record points in the official league table for this season’s Europa League, recent form and attacking numbers suggest a clear gap in quality heading into this fixture.

Plzen’s early continental campaign has been a mixed bag: their recent Europa form string of “LW” shows they are capable of explosive scoring at home – highlighted by a 5-1 win – but also vulnerable away, as seen in a 3-0 defeat. Benfica, by contrast, arrive with a league form run of “LWWDWW”, combining a powerful attack (19 goals in 6 games, averaging 3.2 per match) with generally solid defensive numbers. With such contrasting trajectories, this match is an important test of Plzen’s resilience and Benfica’s ability to impose themselves away from Lisbon. For fans tracking lineups today, this is a fascinating matchup where predicted lineups carry real weight in forecasting how the game might unfold.

Plzen Team News & Expected Lineups Today

There are no listed injuries or suspensions for Plzen in the current data, so the Czech side should have a full squad to choose from. That gives the coaching staff maximum flexibility to rotate between the more cautious and the more expansive shapes they have already used in Europe. Their Europa lineups so far have alternated between a compact 4-4-1-1 and a more fluid 3-5-1-1, and a similar balance between defensive security and counter-attacking threat is expected again here.

Plzen’s recent Europa form string of “LW” underlines their volatility: they scored five goals in their home win but conceded four across two games, with no clean sheets yet. The expected approach against Benfica is likely to be pragmatic – a solid defensive block, strong work-rate in midfield, and quick transitions through their pacey attackers. With no significant absences reported, the manager can field his strongest possible starting lineup in search of another big home performance.

Plzen Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: D. Ťapaj
DF: Merchas Doski, S. Dweh, A. Gabriel, V. Jemelka
MF: L. Červ, P. Hrošovský, T. Ladra, A. Memić, C. Souaré
FW: M. Vydra

This predicted lineup leans on experience at the back and energy in midfield. In goal, D. Ťapaj is expected to start ahead of M. Tvrdoň and F. Wiegele, offering stability behind a back line likely built around V. Jemelka’s leadership and the athleticism of Merchas Doski and S. Dweh. A. Gabriel adds another physically strong defensive presence, useful against Benfica’s high-volume attack.

In midfield, L. Červ and P. Hrošovský provide the central structure: Červ with his box-to-box running and Hrošovský as the deeper organiser. Out wide, T. Ladra and C. Souaré give Plzen ball-carrying and crossing threat, while A. Memić can operate between the lines, linking midfield to attack. Up front, the experienced M. Vydra is the focal point, expected to work channels, hold up play and capitalise on any Benfica defensive lapses. With no Plzen players among the Europa top scorers or top assists lists so far, the emphasis is likely to be on collective organisation rather than relying on a single standout star.

Benfica Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Benfica also come into this fixture without any officially listed injuries or suspensions, meaning an almost ideal selection scenario for the coaching staff. That is significant given their heavy schedule and the attacking depth on display in Europe so far. No significant absences reported allows them to rotate intelligently without weakening the core of the side.

Their Europa league form string of “LWWDWW” and a last-five form index of 87% underline how well Benfica have been performing. They have scored 19 goals in six league games, averaging 4.7 at home and 1.7 away, and their attacking index sits at 100% in the comparison metrics. With lineups today under particular scrutiny from bettors and analysts, the expectation is that Benfica will field a strong but balanced starting lineup, blending their prolific forwards with a stable defensive unit and a hardworking midfield.

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 Benfica lineup is constructed around their key Europa performers. In goal, A. Trubin is the clear first-choice option from the available keepers, with Samuel Soares and Diogo Ferreira providing depth. At the back, C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo are both on the European scoring charts from defensive positions, underlining their threat on set plays. A. Bah, who has contributed an assist and features prominently in the cards and assists lists, offers aggressive overlapping on the right, while S. El Karouani is a natural candidate to balance the back line on the left.

In midfield, Joāo Palhinha is expected to anchor the centre, screening the defence and allowing Benfica’s more creative players to push forward. Alongside him, E. Barrenechea provides vertical running and ball progression, while H. Sudakov, J. Kamiński and Rafa give Benfica a technically gifted and versatile attacking midfield band. All three are present in the top assists rankings, with Sudakov, Kamiński and Rafa each having contributed in chance creation. Rafa’s two goals and one assist make him one of the main threats between the lines.

Up front, V. Pavlidis is the obvious choice to lead the line. He is currently the Europa League’s standout attacker for Benfica with 5 goals and 1 assist, and he also appears across the top scorers, top assists, yellow cards and red card index lists, highlighting how central he is to everything Benfica do in the final third. With additional firepower in reserve from D. Lukebakio, A. Schjelderup, J. Durán and G. Prestianni – all of whom have scored and assisted in Europe – Benfica’s predicted lineup looks stacked with options to change the game from the bench as well.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no confirmed injuries or suspensions listed for either side, the impact of absences on this match is minimal. Both managers can select from their full registered squads, which raises the overall quality level and tactical flexibility on display.

Plzen Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Benfica Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

From a tactical perspective, this encounter pits Plzen’s structured, counter-attacking approach against one of the most potent attacking outfits in the Europa League. Plzen’s previous European lineups – alternating between a four-man and three-man defence – suggest they are comfortable adjusting their shape based on the opponent. Against Benfica’s high-tempo front line, they are likely to sit a little deeper, compress space between defence and midfield, and rely on the work-rate of L. Červ and P. Hrošovský to disrupt Benfica’s rhythm in central areas.

Benfica, meanwhile, have consistently favoured attack-minded shapes, with their most used configurations including two lines of four with advanced attacking midfielders and a single or dual striker setup. The comparison indices are telling: Benfica lead the overall comparison index 59.8 to 40.3, dominate the form index 81 to 19, and hold a 78 to 22 advantage in attacking index. Defensively, the index is even at 50–50, but Benfica’s ability to sustain pressure and create chances from multiple zones is likely to stretch Plzen’s back line. The key battle will be whether Plzen’s predicted defence – marshalled by C. Lenglet’s opposite number V. Jemelka and supported by energetic full-backs – can contain the movement of V. Pavlidis, Rafa, J. Kamiński and H. Sudakov between the lines. If Benfica’s wide players and full-backs can regularly isolate Plzen’s defenders in wide areas, the Czech side may struggle to keep the visitors’ shot volume under control.

Match Prediction and Verdict

All major indicators point to Benfica having a clear edge, even away from home. Their attacking production is outstanding – 19 goals in six league games, with multiple players among the Europa top scorers and top assists – while Plzen’s early European run has been inconsistent, with no clean sheets and four goals conceded in two matches. The comparison model gives Benfica a 59.8 to 40.3 advantage in the overall comparison index, and a massive lead in form and attack metrics.

The official predictions block assigns Plzen a 10% chance to win, with the draw and Benfica each at 45%. That effectively frames Benfica as strong favourites not to lose, reflected in the advice of a double chance on draw or Benfica combined with more than 1.5 total goals. The goals fields in the prediction data are not standard numerical score projections, so the most reasonable conservative forecast, aligned with Benfica’s “win or draw” edge and their attacking firepower, is a tight away success with both sides capable of contributing on the scoresheet.

Predicted Outcome: Plzen 1–2 Benfica

How to Watch Plzen vs Benfica 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: Regional sports network or subscription streaming service
• South America: Continental sports cable channel and associated streaming app
• MENA: Pan-regional satellite sports network with Europa League coverage