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

Benfica welcome OFI to Lisbon for the final matchday of the UEFA Europa League League Stage, a fixture that could help define seeding and momentum heading into the knockout rounds. Despite both sides having zero games played in the official league table so far, their recent continental form and underlying metrics paint a clear picture of contrasting profiles. Benfica come in with a strong recent European record, while OFI arrive as one of the surprise packages, boasting a perfect start in their brief Europa campaign.

In the overall League Round standings snapshot, Benfica are listed 4th with 0 points and no goals for or against, while OFI sit 25th, also on 0 points. That ranking is more about seeding than current performance, but it underlines Benfica’s status as one of the competition’s leading clubs. Their recent Europa run shows four wins, one draw and one defeat, with 19 goals scored and only six conceded. OFI, by contrast, have played just two games in this European campaign, but won both with an aggregate score of 5–0. With qualification and positioning on the line, this is a fascinating clash of an established heavyweight against an emerging contender, and the predicted lineups will be central to how this contest unfolds.

Stats suggest a relatively balanced result profile on paper: the prediction model gives Benfica a 35% chance of victory, the draw also at 35%, and OFI at 30%. However, the overall comparison index leans heavily towards Benfica, 73.0 versus 27.0, reflecting their superior attacking metrics and depth. That makes the starting lineup choices and tactical tweaks especially important as both managers look to exploit their strengths in this decisive League Stage – 6 encounter.

Benfica Team News & Expected Lineups Today

There are no confirmed injuries or suspensions reported for Benfica ahead of this Europa League tie. With no significant absences reported, the manager has the luxury of a full squad from which to select an expected XI, allowing him to balance rotation with the need to secure a strong result at home in Lisbon. Their recent league form string of LWWDWW in this competition context shows resilience and firepower, particularly at home, where they have scored 14 goals in three matches.

Given their attacking dominance – 19 goals in six Europa outings and an attacking index of 78% versus OFI’s 22% – Benfica are likely to field an aggressive, front-foot lineup. Their usual European setups have alternated between a shape with a single striker supported by three advanced midfielders and a more dual-striker configuration, but always with a clear intent to dominate possession and press high. With the predicted lineups today, expect a strong core of creative midfielders behind a prolific spearhead.

Benfica Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

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

This predicted starting lineup leans heavily on Benfica’s Europa League stars. Up front, V. Pavlidis is the obvious focal point: he is the competition’s standout forward so far with 5 goals and 1 assist in just 3 appearances. His presence as the lone striker allows Benfica to overload the lines behind him with creators like Rafa, who has 2 goals and 1 assist in 4 appearances, and the highly rated A. Schjelderup and D. Lukebakio as strong options from the bench if the manager opts to rotate during the game.

In midfield, H. Sudakov, L. Barreiro and J. Kamiński all feature prominently in the assist charts, each contributing at least one assist in the Europa League. They provide a blend of ball progression, pressing and late runs into the box. F. Aursnes offers additional control and work rate in the middle, giving balance to an otherwise attack-minded unit. At the back, C. Lenglet brings experience and even goal threat – he has already scored once in this campaign – while Tomás Araújo has also chipped in with a goal from defence. A. Bah, who has an assist to his name and is among the club’s most active full-backs, offers width and crossing from the right, while S. El Karouani is a logical fit on the left given the squad structure. With A. Trubin in goal and a compact but proactive back line, Benfica’s expected XI looks built to press OFI high and pin them in their own half for long stretches.

OFI Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Like Benfica, OFI come into this match without any officially listed injuries or suspensions. With no significant absences reported, the Greek side can approach this trip to Lisbon with a full complement of players. Their Europa League form line of WW – two wins from two, five goals scored and none conceded – underlines a team that has been extremely efficient at both ends of the pitch.

OFI’s tactical identity in Europe so far has been built on organisation and defensive solidity. They have used an attacking-minded shape with three central defenders and advanced wing-backs, recording two clean sheets and a defensive index advantage of 100% versus Benfica’s 0% in the comparison model. For the lineups today, they are likely to maintain that three-at-the-back structure, looking to absorb Benfica’s pressure, protect central spaces and strike on the counter through their quick forwards and wide players.

OFI Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: N. Christogeorgos
DF: N. Marinakis, D. Nikolaou, A. Poungouras, Borja González, K. Krizmanić
MF: A. Bouchalakis, G. Kanellópoulos, T. Androutsos
FW: Aitor Cantalapiedra, K. Kodro

In goal, N. Christogeorgos is a strong candidate to start, given his age profile and experience within the squad. The defensive line is expected to be built around seasoned campaigners: N. Marinakis and Borja González as full-back or wing-back options, with D. Nikolaou, A. Poungouras and K. Krizmanić providing central defensive stability. This unit has been the foundation of OFI’s flawless defensive record in Europe so far – two games, zero goals conceded, and a defensive index that significantly outperforms Benfica’s in the comparison model.

In midfield, A. Bouchalakis and G. Kanellópoulos offer control and physicality, while T. Androutsos brings energy and the ability to shuttle between boxes. That trio should be tasked with disrupting Benfica’s creative core, especially the likes of Sudakov and Rafa between the lines. Up front, Aitor Cantalapiedra and K. Kodro provide complementary profiles: Aitor as a technical attacker who can drift wide and link play, and Kodro as a more traditional penalty-box presence. With additional options like T. Fountas, A. Leya and T. Nuss available, OFI have enough depth to change the game state late on if they are still in contention.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With both clubs reporting full squads and no confirmed injuries or suspensions, absences are unlikely to play a direct role in the tactical balance of this match. Instead, the key factors will be rotation decisions, game management and how each coach uses his bench to respond to the evolving state of play.

Benfica Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

OFI Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

This contest sets up as a clash between Benfica’s high-powered attack and OFI’s disciplined defensive block. Benfica’s recent European numbers are outstanding: 19 goals in six matches, an average of 3.2 goals per game, and a last-five attacking output of 18 goals. With V. Pavlidis leading the line and supported by Rafa, Sudakov, Kamiński and possibly Schjelderup or Lukebakio from the bench, the hosts have multiple avenues to create chances – through quick combinations in central areas, overlaps from A. Bah and S. El Karouani, and late arrivals from midfield. Their form string of LWWDWW shows that even when they concede, they have the firepower to respond quickly.

OFI, however, arrive with a profile tailor-made to frustrate such opponents. Their defensive record – two clean sheets in two Europa games, zero goals conceded – is backed by a defensive comparison index that heavily favours them over Benfica. Their preferred compact, three-centre-back structure should allow them to crowd the central zones where Pavlidis likes to operate, while wing-backs like N. Marinakis and Borja González can step out to challenge Benfica’s wide players. The key matchup will be Benfica’s attacking midfielders against OFI’s double pivot of A. Bouchalakis and G. Kanellópoulos: if the Greek side can limit service into Pavlidis and Rafa, they can force Benfica into lower-quality wide crosses rather than incisive central combinations.

Match Prediction and Verdict

The prediction model designates Benfica as the likely winner, with an edge in the overall comparison index (73.0 vs 27.0) and a clear superiority in attacking metrics. However, the win probabilities are relatively compressed – 35% for Benfica, 35% for the draw and 30% for OFI – reflecting respect for OFI’s perfect start and defensive solidity. Benfica’s home form in Europe, where they have scored 14 goals in three matches, suggests they will eventually find a way through, but OFI’s structure and clean-sheet record mean this may be tighter than some expect.

Expect Benfica to dominate territory and possession, creating sustained pressure around OFI’s box. The visitors will likely rely on counter-attacks and set pieces, using the intelligence of Aitor Cantalapiedra and the presence of K. Kodro to capitalise on any Benfica defensive lapses. Given the relatively balanced probability split and OFI’s strong defensive trend, a narrow home win looks the most plausible outcome, with Benfica’s superior depth and individual quality in the final third just tipping the balance.

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 streaming service
• USA / North America: Regional sports network or subscription streaming service
• South America: Continental sports channel or official streaming partner
• MENA: Regional satellite sports network or digital platform