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

Benfica welcome Celtic to Lisbon in the UEFA Europa League league stage, with both sides looking to establish themselves early in the new format. The match is scheduled in Lisbon, and although the league table is still largely theoretical with both teams yet to play in this season’s competition, the stakes are clear: every point in the league stage will count towards securing a favourable ranking and potential progression to the play-offs.

In the current Europa League standings, Benfica are listed 4th in the overall league round ranking with 0 points from 0 matches, but their broader recent record is impressive. Their league form string of LWWDWW, combined with 19 goals scored and only 6 conceded across six recent fixtures, underlines why they come into this clash as favourites. Celtic sit 9th with 0 points and no games played in this Europa League campaign, carrying the “Play Offs” description but with no recent continental form to benchmark against. This context makes the predicted lineups particularly important for assessing where the value and tactical edges lie before official team news drops.

Stats suggest Benfica’s attack is already flying, with a last-five record of 18 goals scored at an average of 3.6 per game, while Celtic’s European slate is blank so far. With no confirmed lineups today at this stage, analysts must lean heavily on squad depth, recent usage patterns and key player output to build robust predicted lineups and an expected starting lineup for both clubs.

Benfica Team News & Expected Lineups Today

There are no listed injuries or suspensions for Benfica in this fixture, so the working assumption is a full squad at the manager’s disposal. With their Europa League league form line of LWWDWW and a strong attacking profile, the expectation is that Benfica will field a very aggressive side, especially at home in Lisbon. Their recent use of attacking-minded shapes and high scoring rate suggests an approach built around dominating territory and flooding the final third with runners.

Given the absence of reported issues, the expected selection will be driven by form players and those already delivering in this Europa League campaign. Benfica’s predicted lineup should revolve around their prolific forwards and creative midfielders, with an emphasis on maintaining a compact structure out of possession but committing numbers forward once the ball is secured.

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 starting lineup leans heavily on Benfica’s established core and their Europa League standouts. In attack, V. Pavlidis is an automatic selection: he is the competition’s leading scorer for Benfica with 5 goals and 1 assist from just 3 appearances, and he also tops the assists chart for the club. His presence as the central forward is non-negotiable in any serious projected XI.

Supporting him, Rafa has been a major threat between the lines, with 2 goals and 1 assist in 4 Europa League outings. His ability to drift into pockets and combine with Pavlidis makes him a key figure in the expected attacking structure. Wide and advanced midfield roles are further strengthened by J. Kamiński and H. Sudakov, both of whom have contributed with assists and ball progression; Sudakov and Kamiński each have 1 assist, offering creative balance around the penalty area.

Deeper in midfield, João Palhinha and L. Barreiro provide the platform. While Palhinha’s numbers are not listed in the scoring and assists charts, his profile as a ball-winner and screen in front of the defence fits perfectly with Benfica’s high-tempo, front-foot style. Barreiro, who has also chipped in with an assist, adds energy and vertical running from midfield, enabling quick transitions.

At the back, A. Bah is a clear inclusion at right side of defence. He has been heavily involved in the Europa League, contributing 1 assist and offering overlapping width, while also appearing among the top yellow-carded players – an indicator of his aggressive defensive style. C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo, both defenders who have already scored in the competition, bring not only solidity but also set-piece threat from central areas. S. El Karouani completes the back line as a natural left-sided defender from the squad list, giving balance on the flank. Behind them, A. Trubin is the logical first-choice goalkeeper, with significant experience and status in the squad.

Celtic Team News & Expected Lineups Today

No injuries or suspensions are reported for Celtic either, meaning the Scottish side can travel to Lisbon with what appears to be a full complement of players. With no Europa League league form registered yet (their continental record this season reads 0 games played, 0 goals scored and 0 conceded), this is effectively their first major data point in the competition. That increases the importance of analysing the squad composition and likely roles to anticipate lineups today.

Given the difficulty of an away trip to Benfica, Celtic are expected to favour a more cautious, compact defensive setup, prioritising structure and counter-attacking speed rather than an expansive game. The manager is likely to lean on experienced defenders and midfield leaders to handle Benfica’s pressing and constant movement between the lines, while leaving space for quick transitions through their attackers and wide players.

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

With no Europa League top scorers or top assists entries yet for Celtic, this predicted lineup is anchored in positional balance and seniority. V. Sinisalo is selected in goal from a strong goalkeeping group, with his age profile and squad number suggesting a prominent role. In defence, A. Johnston and K. Tierney provide full-back experience and quality on both flanks, while C. Carter-Vickers and L. Scales form a robust central partnership, combining aerial strength with familiarity in high-pressure matches.

In midfield, C. McGregor is the obvious heartbeat of the side, offering control, passing range and leadership. He is partnered by O. Sørensen, whose presence adds work rate and physicality in central areas, and A. Oxlade-Chamberlain, whose versatility and ball-carrying ability can help Celtic break Benfica’s lines. Ahead of them, Yang Hyun-Jun and L. McCowan are projected as the main wide or advanced midfield options, both capable of stretching play and supporting transitions. Up front, K. Høgh is selected as the focal point striker from the attacking pool, providing a target for direct balls and a reference point for counters.

This structure gives Celtic enough defensive numbers to protect their box while still offering outlets in wide areas and a central striker to occupy Benfica’s centre-backs. It is a pragmatic predicted lineup tailored to an away European tie against a high-scoring opponent.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no listed injuries or suspensions for either side, squad availability should not distort the tactical picture or force major reshuffles. Both managers can, in theory, select their strongest possible starting lineup, which increases the reliability of these predicted lineups and makes the tactical battle more about approach than enforced changes.

Benfica Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Celtic Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

The key tactical storyline revolves around Benfica’s high-powered attack against a Celtic side likely to be more conservative and structurally focused. Benfica’s recent numbers are emphatic: 19 goals in their last six league fixtures, with an average of 4.7 goals scored at home. Their attack index in recent form is at 100%, and they have failed to score in none of those matches. With Pavlidis, Rafa, Schjelderup, Lukebakio, J. Durán and G. Prestianni all contributing goals and assists in the Europa League, Benfica can rotate multiple threats across the front line and half-spaces.

Celtic, by contrast, enter with a clean statistical slate in this Europa League campaign, making their defensive resilience and organisation the primary unknown. The comparison model’s overall index leans heavily towards Benfica, with a total comparison index of 73.5 versus 26.5 for Celtic, and a head-to-head index of 80 versus 20 in favour of the Portuguese side. Historically, Benfica have the edge in this matchup, with a win and a draw in their last two European meetings. Expect Benfica to press high, pin Celtic back and try to create overloads around the visitors’ full-backs, particularly targeting the spaces behind A. Johnston and K. Tierney with runners like Rafa and wide midfielders. Celtic’s best route into the game will be quick counters through Yang Hyun-Jun, L. McCowan and K. Høgh, hoping to exploit any gaps left by Benfica’s adventurous full-backs.

Match Prediction and Verdict

All indicators point towards Benfica having a clear edge, especially at home. Their recent form string of LWWDWW, a last-five record of 4 wins and 1 draw, and a prolific scoring profile contrast sharply with Celtic’s untested Europa League status this season. The comparison indices back this up: Benfica dominate the form and attack indices, while Celtic’s only relative strength lies in a more favourable defensive index, which is still theoretical given the absence of recent continental data.

The prediction model assigns a 50% chance of a Benfica win, a 50% chance of a draw and 0% for a Celtic victory. With goals projections not expressed in a standard numeric way, the safest interpretation is that Benfica are expected to control proceedings without a guarantee of a high-scoring rout. Given their attacking firepower and home advantage, but respecting the draw probability, a narrow home win feels like the most realistic verdict.

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: To be confirmed by local broadcasters closer to kick-off.
• UK: To be confirmed by domestic rights holders for UEFA Europa League.
• USA / North America: Check regional sports networks and official streaming partners for UEFA competitions.
• South America: Coverage typically provided via major sports channels and streaming platforms with UEFA rights.
• MENA: Match expected on regional sports networks holding UEFA Europa League rights.