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 clubs looking to position themselves strongly in the early rounds of this new-format campaign. The match is scheduled in Lisbon, and although the league table is still taking shape, the stakes are already high in a competition where every point can be decisive for progression.

In the overall Europa League standings, Benfica are currently listed 4th in the League Round section with 0 points from 0 games, but their recent continental form is excellent: their league form string reads LWWDWW, underpinned by 19 goals scored in 6 recent Europa fixtures and just 6 conceded. Celtic, ranked 9th with 0 points and no games played yet, enter the league stage fresh, with no recorded form line in this competition so far. This contrast in recent European rhythm frames the context for our predicted lineups and expected starting lineup analysis ahead of kickoff.

With no official team sheets available yet, this preview focuses on analytically built predicted lineups based on squad lists, key performers and tactical tendencies. Benfica’s attacking firepower, led by standout forward V. Pavlidis, will be central to any expected XI, while Celtic’s deeper, more balanced squad profile suggests a compact, hard-working setup away from home.

Benfica Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Benfica arrive in this Europa League tie in strong form. Their league form sequence of LWWDWW reflects a side that has largely found solutions in attack, averaging 3.2 goals per game across recent fixtures in the competition. There are no recorded injury or suspension absences, so the Lisbon side should have a full squad to select from. That allows them to put their best attacking options on the pitch in what is expected to be an aggressive, front-foot approach at home.

Given their recent numbers – 19 goals in 6 Europa games and a last-five attacking output rated at 100% – Benfica are expected to line up with a very attack-minded shape. The predicted starting lineup is built around the competition’s leading scorer V. Pavlidis, with creative and pacey support from Rafa and other advanced midfielders. The defensive structure should still be solid, anchored by experienced centre-backs such as C. Lenglet and supported by energetic full-backs like A. Bah.

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 lineup leans heavily on Benfica’s proven Europa League performers. Up front, V. Pavlidis is the clear focal point: he has 5 goals and 1 assist in just 3 appearances, making him the standout attacking threat in the competition so far. His combination of penalty-box presence and willingness to press from the front is likely to shape how Benfica build and defend from the front.

Behind him, Rafa offers a crucial link between midfield and attack. With 2 goals and 1 assist across 4 appearances, he brings both end product and creativity, drifting between the lines and attacking space in wide and central zones. J. Kamiński and H. Sudakov, both among the top assist contributors, are expected to provide balance and progression from midfield – Kamiński with his work on the flanks and Sudakov as a technical midfielder who can both circulate possession and play incisive passes.

Deeper, Joāo Palhinha and E. Barrenechea give the side a strong double pivot: Palhinha’s ball-winning and physical presence should shield the back line, while Barrenechea offers a more measured passing option. At the back, C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo are not only reliable defensively but also goal threats on set pieces, each having found the net in the Europa League. A. Bah, with 1 assist and notable involvement in the attacking stats, is expected to push high from right-back, while S. El Karouani offers balance on the left. A. Trubin is the logical choice in goal as the senior first-choice keeper in a squad otherwise filled with younger alternatives.

Celtic Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Celtic enter this Europa League league stage fixture without any recorded injuries or suspensions, meaning the Scottish side should also have a full group available. With no prior Europa League games listed this season, there is no competition-specific form string to lean on, and their last-five metrics in this tournament context are all at 0%. That makes this a fresh start, but also one where they must quickly adapt to the tempo set by a Benfica side already in full attacking flow.

Given they are away in Lisbon and facing a Benfica attack that has been prolific, Celtic’s expected approach for the lineups today is likely to be cautious and compact, prioritising defensive structure and quick transitions. The squad list shows a good spread of experienced defenders – including C. Carter-Vickers, A. Johnston and K. Tierney – alongside a mix of technical and energetic midfielders such as C. McGregor and A. Oxlade-Chamberlain. The predicted starting lineup leans on those established names to provide stability and leadership in a demanding away environment.

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; L. McCowan; Yang Hyun-Jun
FW: K. Høgh

With no Europa League top scorers or assist leaders yet for Celtic, the predicted XI is built around positional hierarchy and seniority. V. Sinisalo is a logical pick in goal, wearing number 1 and at a prime age for a starting keeper. In defence, A. Johnston and K. Tierney offer a strong blend of defensive awareness and overlapping potential in wide areas, while C. Carter-Vickers and L. Scales form a robust central pairing capable of dealing with Benfica’s aerial and physical threat, particularly from V. Pavlidis.

In midfield, C. McGregor is expected to orchestrate play from deep, recycling possession and providing leadership. Alongside him, O. Sørensen adds legs and defensive coverage, allowing A. Oxlade-Chamberlain to operate higher between the lines as a creative and ball-carrying outlet. L. McCowan and Yang Hyun-Jun can attack the half-spaces and flanks, giving Celtic outlets in transition and the ability to stretch Benfica’s back line. Up front, K. Høgh profiles as a central striker capable of holding the ball up and attacking crosses, a key role when Celtic look to relieve pressure and create from limited possession.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

There are no listed injuries or suspensions for either side ahead of this fixture, which is a significant factor in the tactical balance of the match. Both Benfica and Celtic can therefore select from their full registered squads, increasing competition for places and allowing each coach to tailor the game plan without fitness constraints.

Benfica Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Celtic Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

Tactically, this contest sets up as Benfica’s high-powered attack against Celtic’s expected compact defensive structure. Benfica’s recent Europa League record – 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in their last 6, with 19 goals scored – points to a side that will dominate territory and possession, especially at home. With creators like Rafa, J. Kamiński and H. Sudakov supporting V. Pavlidis, Benfica can overload central zones and half-spaces, while full-backs such as A. Bah provide width and crossing threat. The presence of set-piece scorers C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo adds another layer of danger on dead balls, particularly against a Celtic side still finding its rhythm in the competition.

For Celtic, the predicted lineup suggests an emphasis on defensive organisation and counter-attacking. The back four of A. Johnston, C. Carter-Vickers, L. Scales and K. Tierney is experienced enough to maintain a compact block and defend the box against Benfica’s frequent deliveries. C. McGregor and O. Sørensen are likely to be key in screening the defence and disrupting Benfica’s passing lanes into Pavlidis. In transition, A. Oxlade-Chamberlain, L. McCowan and Yang Hyun-Jun can exploit any spaces left by Benfica’s advancing full-backs, while K. Høgh offers a target for direct balls and crosses. The key tactical battle will be whether Celtic’s midfield can withstand Benfica’s pressing and tempo, and whether they can create enough high-quality chances from limited possession to threaten A. Trubin’s goal.

Match Prediction and Verdict

All available indicators point towards Benfica having the upper hand in this Europa League clash. Their overall comparison index leads 73.5 to 26.5, with a form index advantage of 100% to 0% and an attacking index also at 100% versus 0% for Celtic. Head-to-head data from previous European meetings further favours Benfica, with an 80 to 20 h2h index and an unbeaten record in the two referenced Champions League fixtures (one win, one draw).

The prediction model assigns Benfica a 50% chance of victory, with a 50% probability of a draw and effectively no win probability allocated to Celtic (0%). That distribution, combined with Benfica’s goal-scoring form and home advantage, suggests a match where the hosts are strongly favoured to at least avoid defeat and are well placed to take all three points. Given the goals field is not a conventional numeric projection, a conservative reading of the data still supports a narrow Benfica win, built on their superior attacking weapons and settled structure.

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: Local sports broadcaster / streaming platform (check regional listings)
• UK: Major sports network or official UEFA Europa League rights holder
• USA / North America: National sports cable channel or dedicated soccer streaming service
• South America: Regional sports network with UEFA rights or official streaming partner
• MENA: Pan-regional sports broadcaster or subscription streaming platform