Benfica vs AZ Alkmaar Prediction: Preview and Key Stats

Benfica welcome AZ Alkmaar to Lisbon on 28 January 2027 for a UEFA Europa League League Stage - 8 clash that could shape the mid-table dynamics of the new league-format competition. With the match staged in the Portuguese capital and both sides currently on 0 points in the League Round standings, this is an early opportunity to build momentum in a long group-style campaign.

Benfica come into this fixture ranked 4th in the League Round table, but their underlying Europa League statistics are anything but mid-table. A prolific attack and strong recent form make them one of the more dangerous sides in the competition. AZ Alkmaar, ranked 3rd with no games yet played, remain an unknown quantity at this stage of the League Round, adding an element of tactical mystery to this encounter.

With both clubs targeting deep runs in the Europa League, this game in Lisbon is about far more than just three points. For Benfica, it is a chance to convert their excellent tournament form into early league-stage leverage. For AZ, it is the first real test of their European credentials this season, away to one of the competition’s in-form attacking outfits.

Benfica vs AZ Alkmaar Key Stats

• Benfica have scored 19 goals and conceded just 6 across 6 Europa League matches, averaging 3.2 goals for and 1.0 against per game in tournament statistics.
• There are no recent head-to-head meetings listed between Benfica and AZ Alkmaar in this Europa League dataset.
• Benfica have kept 1 clean sheet in 6 Europa League fixtures, while AZ Alkmaar are yet to play a match in this season’s competition.

Benfica vs AZ Alkmaar — Tale of the Tape

• Position: 4 vs 3
• Points: 0 vs 0
• Goals For: 0 vs 0
• Goals Against: 0 vs 0
• Clean Sheets: Benfica 1 (tournament statistics), AZ Alkmaar 0 (tournament statistics)

On raw League Round standings, there is very little to separate the sides: both are on 0 points, with Benfica sitting 4th and AZ Alkmaar 3rd in the League Round table. Crucially, the League Round “all” records show no matches played yet, so the rank is not yet backed by league-stage results.

The deeper Europa League statistics, however, tell a different story. Benfica have already played 6 fixtures in this Europa League season, winning 4, drawing 1 and losing just 1. They have scored 14 goals at home and 5 away, underlining their attacking threat in Lisbon. AZ Alkmaar, by contrast, have no Europa League games recorded in the team statistics block for this season, so their 0 goals for and 0 against reflect a blank slate rather than defensive solidity. Benfica’s proven scoring power and one recorded clean sheet in tournament play give them a clear statistical edge ahead of kick-off.

Benfica vs AZ Alkmaar Key Matchups

V. Pavlidis vs C. Stengs

Benfica’s standout attacking figure in this Europa League campaign is Vangelis Pavlidis. The forward has 5 goals and 1 assist in just 3 appearances, making him one of the competition’s most efficient finishers so far. He has also picked up 1 yellow card, showing he plays on the edge in high-intensity games. Pavlidis’ scoring rate is central to Benfica’s 3.2 goals-per-game tournament average, and his presence in the box, combined with penalty reliability (Benfica have scored all 4 penalties awarded), makes him the primary danger man.

For AZ Alkmaar, the most recognisable creative influence in the squad list is Calvin Stengs. While there are no Europa League-specific goals or assists recorded for AZ players yet this season, Stengs’ role as a midfielder with attacking responsibilities suggests he will be key to linking play and supplying the front line. The duel here is less about direct statistical comparison and more about impact: Pavlidis arrives with proven Europa League end product, while Stengs must quickly translate his quality into this campaign to keep AZ competitive in Lisbon.

Rafa vs J. Hornkamp

Rafa has been an important secondary source of goals for Benfica in Europe. The 33-year-old forward has 2 goals and 1 assist in 4 Europa League appearances, underlining his ability to both finish and create. His clean disciplinary record in the competition so far (no yellow or red cards) suggests he can be relied upon to stay on the pitch and influence games across 90 minutes. Operating off Pavlidis, Rafa’s movement between the lines is a major reason Benfica have failed to score in none of their 6 tournament fixtures.

On the AZ side, J. Hornkamp stands out among the attackers in the squad list as a likely focal point up front. Although he has no Europa League statistics recorded yet this season, his role as an attacker will be vital against a Benfica defence that has conceded only 6 goals in 6 matches. Hornkamp will need to test a back line that includes goal-scoring defenders like C. Lenglet, who has already contributed 1 goal in 4 appearances, and is part of a unit that has allowed an average of just 1.0 goal per game in Europe.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

There are no recent recorded head-to-head meetings between Benfica and AZ Alkmaar in the available Europa League data. This adds an extra layer of tactical intrigue, with both coaches lacking recent direct reference points in this competition.

Benfica vs AZ Alkmaar Prediction

All available statistics point to Benfica entering this tie as the more battle-hardened Europa League side. Across 6 tournament matches, they have averaged 3.2 goals scored and just 1.0 conceded, with a last-five record showing 18 goals for and only 4 against. Their attacking metrics are particularly impressive at home, where they have scored 14 times in 3 fixtures, including a biggest home win of 6-1.

AZ Alkmaar, by contrast, remain statistically opaque: no Europa League fixtures played, no goals for or against, and no form string in the standings. That uncertainty is partially reflected in the prediction block, which gives an even 33% chance to each of home win, draw, and away win. However, that probability split should be read alongside the comparison data, where Benfica’s recent form and attack indices dominate, and AZ’s figures are essentially placeholders.

Given Benfica’s proven attacking depth — with Pavlidis, Rafa, A. Schjelderup, D. Lukebakio, J. Durán, G. Prestianni and even defender C. Lenglet all on the scoresheet in this Europa League season — and their ability to maintain a high scoring tempo over 6 matches, they are well placed to control the game in Lisbon. AZ’s freshness and unknown ceiling mean they cannot be written off, but the balance of evidence favours a home victory by a narrow margin.

Predicted Score: Benfica 2-1 AZ Alkmaar

Benfica Recent Form

Benfica’s League Round standings list a strong recent form line of WWDWW, and their wider Europa League tournament record backs that up. Across 6 matches, they have 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat, with a biggest winning margin of 6-1 at home and 3-1 away. They have scored in every game, never failed to score, and have kept 1 clean sheet. Their last-five performance snapshot is outstanding: 18 goals scored and only 4 conceded, underlining both offensive firepower and reasonable defensive control.

AZ Alkmaar Recent Form

AZ Alkmaar have no Europa League form string listed in the standings and no fixtures played in the team statistics for this season’s competition. As a result, their recent tournament form is effectively a blank page: 0 games, 0 goals scored, 0 conceded. That makes them unpredictable, but also means they lack the proven European rhythm that Benfica have already established.

Benfica Possible Starting Lineup

Likely key players for Benfica (grouped by position) could include: Goalkeepers: A. Trubin, Samuel Soares, Diogo Ferreira. Defenders: C. Lenglet, A. Bah, Tomás Araújo, S. Dahl, A. Circati, S. El Karouani. Midfielders: Joã o Palhinha, L. Barreiro, E. Barrenechea, H. Sudakov, J. Kamiński, Manu, F. Aursnes, G. Prestianni, Rafa. Forwards/Attackers: V. Pavlidis, D. Lukebakio, J. Durán, Bruma.

Benfica have frequently used 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-3-2 in this Europa League campaign, with those formations accounting for all 5 recorded lineups. That suggests a structure with Pavlidis as the central striker, supported by Rafa and one of Schjelderup, Lukebakio or Prestianni from wide or central attacking roles. Joã o Palhinha, L. Barreiro and H. Sudakov provide options for a solid midfield base, while C. Lenglet and A. Bah offer both defensive stability and attacking contribution from the back line.

AZ Alkmaar Possible Starting Lineup

Key AZ Alkmaar options from the squad list include: Goalkeepers: R. Owusu-Oduro, H. Verhulst, J. Zoet, J. De Busser. Defenders: W. Goes, W. Hoedt, M. Chávez, L. Schouten, D. Kasius, S. Maikuma. Midfielders: J. Clasie, P. Koopmeiners, D. Kwakman, K. Smit, V. Byskov, R. Daal, J. Oerip. Attackers: J. Hornkamp, M. Meerdink, Weslley Patati, A. Oufkir, B. Kovacs.

With no Europa League lineups recorded yet, AZ’s tactical shape is harder to project, but the presence of experienced midfielders like J. Clasie and P. Koopmeiners suggests a technically solid central unit. In attack, J. Hornkamp and M. Meerdink are likely candidates to lead the line, supported by creative wide players such as Weslley Patati or C. Stengs. The defensive core could be built around W. Hoedt and W. Goes, with full-backs like D. Kasius or S. Maikuma providing width.

Benfica Team News

No significant absences reported.

AZ Alkmaar Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

Benfica:

• None reported.

AZ Alkmaar:

• None reported.

Betting Tips: Benfica vs AZ Alkmaar

Exactly 3 distinct markets are considered below, based on available probabilities and tournament statistics.

• Result Tip: Back Benfica to win. With a Europa League record of 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss, plus 19 goals scored in 6 matches, Benfica have far more proven European form than AZ, who have yet to play in this season’s competition. Even though the prediction block lists 33% for home, 33% for draw and 33% for away, the underlying performance data strongly favours the hosts in Lisbon.
• Goals Tip: Over 2.5 total goals. Benfica’s matches in this Europa League campaign have been high scoring, with an average of 3.2 goals for and 1.0 against per game. Their home fixtures have produced 14 goals in 3 outings, including a 6-1 win. That attacking output suggests a strong chance of at least three goals in total, even allowing for AZ’s unknown offensive level.
• Value Tip: V. Pavlidis to score anytime. Pavlidis has 5 goals and 1 assist in 3 Europa League appearances, making him Benfica’s most reliable finisher. He also features prominently in the top scorers, assists, yellow cards and red cards lists, underlining his central role in the side’s attacking play. Given Benfica’s penalty record (4 scored from 4), his involvement in key moments increases the value of an anytime scorer angle.

Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.