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

Benfica host OFI in Lisbon in the final round of the UEFA Europa League league stage, a match that could prove decisive for seeding and momentum heading into the knockout phase. Despite both sides officially sitting on 0 points in the overall league table at rank 4 (Benfica) and 25 (OFI) within the league round structure, their recent European form tells a very different story. Benfica come into this tie with a strong continental record, reflected in a league form string of LWWDWW and a prolific attack averaging 3.2 goals per game in recent Europa fixtures.

OFI, ranked 25th in the league round, have been the surprise package so far. Their Europa league form stands at WW, with two wins from two, scoring 5 and conceding none. That defensive solidity sets up an intriguing contrast with Benfica’s free-scoring style. With knockout qualification and better seeding on the line, both managers are expected to field strong sides, and the predicted lineups for today’s clash will be closely scrutinised by bettors and analysts alike.

Prediction models give Benfica a narrow edge, with a 35% chance of a home win, 35% for the draw and 30% for an OFI victory. The overall comparison index also leans towards Benfica at 73.0 versus 27.0, but OFI’s perfect defensive record in Europe so far means this is far from a foregone conclusion. The expected starting lineup choices, especially in attack for Benfica and at the back for OFI, should define the tactical story of the night.

Benfica Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Benfica approach this Europa League fixture in excellent attacking form. Their recent European league form of LWWDWW includes 19 goals scored in six matches, with 14 of those coming at “home” fixtures in the competition. There are no listed injuries or suspensions, so the manager is expected to have a full squad available. That allows maximum flexibility to build an aggressive setup tailored to break down OFI’s resilient back line.

With no significant absences reported, Benfica can lean heavily on their Europa League top scorers and creators. Expect an attack-minded shape similar to their most-used European formations this season, which have featured one main striker supported by a line of creative midfielders and wide forwards. The emphasis should again be on high tempo, positional rotations and sustained pressure in the final third.

Benfica Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

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

This predicted lineup is built around Benfica’s Europa League attacking core. Up front, V. Pavlidis is an automatic selection: he is the competition’s standout forward for Benfica with 5 goals and 1 assist from 3 appearances, and he also tops the assists chart for the club in Europe. His presence as the central reference point allows the side to play into feet, attack crosses and exploit space behind the defence.

Supporting him, D. Lukebakio offers pace, direct running and end product from wide areas, having contributed 1 goal and 1 assist in just 2 appearances. Rafa, with 2 goals and 1 assist across 4 Europa matches, is expected to operate between the lines, linking midfield to attack and driving at OFI’s defensive block. Behind them, H. Sudakov, L. Barreiro and J. Kamiński all appear among the club’s top assist providers, underlining their importance in ball progression and chance creation. Sudakov and Barreiro give control and balance in central areas, while Kamiński offers width and crossing quality.

Defensively, C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo are the likely centre-back pairing. Both have scored in this Europa campaign, a useful bonus on set pieces, and Lenglet’s experience should be vital against OFI’s counter-attacking threat. A. Bah, who has chipped in with an assist and is prominent across the cards statistics, is expected to provide aggressive overlapping on the right, while S. El Karouani is the logical choice on the left from the available defender pool. With A. Trubin in goal, Benfica retain a settled spine that has underpinned their strong home results in the competition.

OFI Team News & Expected Lineups Today

OFI travel to Lisbon in excellent Europa League form, having won both of their league-stage games so far with an aggregate score of 5-0. Their league form string of WW and a perfect clean-sheet record underline how compact and disciplined they have been. There are no listed injuries or suspensions for OFI, so the coach is expected to stick close to the formula that has delivered back-to-back wins.

With no significant absences reported, the focus for OFI’s lineups today will be on maintaining their defensive structure while offering enough threat in transition. They have used a three-at-the-back system in Europe, and that pattern should repeat, with wing-backs dropping deep without the ball and pushing high when opportunities arise. The predicted starting lineup is likely to blend experienced defenders with a mobile front line capable of punishing Benfica if they overcommit.

OFI Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: K. Lilo
DF: N. Marinakis; D. Nikolaou; A. Poungouras; Borja González
MF: N. Athanasiou; L. Dickmann; A. Bouchalakis; G. Kanellópoulos
FW: T. Fountas; K. Kodro

OFI’s predicted XI is constructed to preserve the defensive base that has yet to concede in this Europa League campaign. In goal, K. Lilo is a strong candidate from a deep goalkeeper pool, protected by an experienced back line featuring N. Marinakis, D. Nikolaou, A. Poungouras and Borja González. This unit is expected to form a compact block, narrowing space centrally and forcing Benfica wide, where they will trust their full-backs and midfielders to deal with crosses.

In midfield, A. Bouchalakis and G. Kanellópoulos provide structure and ball circulation, with N. Athanasiou and L. Dickmann capable of shuttling into wide areas or tucking in to crowd the centre. The attacking responsibility will fall primarily on T. Fountas and K. Kodro, both experienced forwards who can operate either as a front two or with one dropping off. They will be key in exploiting transitions, holding up the ball and attacking the space behind Benfica’s advanced full-backs.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With both squads listed at full strength, absences are not expected to play a direct role in this fixture. Instead, the impact comes from the ability of each coach to rotate or reinforce specific areas during the match, knowing there are no major enforced changes to the usual selection patterns.

Benfica Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

OFI Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

Tactically, this game sets up as Benfica’s high-powered attack against OFI’s disciplined defence. Benfica’s recent European record shows 19 goals in 6 matches, with multiple scoring bursts across all phases of the game. Their attacking options in the predicted lineup — V. Pavlidis, Rafa, D. Lukebakio, J. Kamiński and H. Sudakov — give them variety in how they create chances: through central combinations, wide overloads and set pieces. Pavlidis’ combination of penalty-box instincts and link play is likely to pin OFI’s centre-backs deep, while the movement of Rafa and Lukebakio between the lines will test the communication of OFI’s defensive block.

OFI’s league form in Europe, by contrast, is built on control and clean sheets. They have scored an average of 2.5 goals per game while conceding none, indicating a side that picks its moments rather than dominating territory. Their comparison indices show an interesting split: Benfica lead the attack index 78 vs 22, but OFI dominate the defence index 100 vs 0, and the Poisson index is heavily skewed in OFI’s favour at 100 vs 0. That suggests OFI’s game model is highly efficient at limiting high-quality chances. The key battle will be in the half-spaces, where Benfica’s creative midfielders try to find Pavlidis between the lines, while OFI’s midfield screen — led by A. Bouchalakis and G. Kanellópoulos — aims to block passing lanes and spring counters to T. Fountas and K. Kodro.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Stats suggest a finely balanced contest despite Benfica’s status as a traditional heavyweight. The win probabilities are tightly clustered: 35% for a Benfica win, 35% for a draw and 30% for OFI. The overall comparison index of 73.0 vs 27.0 leans towards Benfica, primarily due to their attacking numbers and home advantage in Lisbon. However, OFI’s perfect defensive record and 100% form index in their last two Europa matches underline that they are capable of frustrating stronger opponents.

Given Benfica’s firepower and the presence of in-form attackers like V. Pavlidis, Rafa and D. Lukebakio, they are still the likelier side to edge a tight encounter. At the same time, the conservative balance of the prediction percentages points towards a low-margin result rather than a rout. Aligning with the model’s slight preference for Benfica, a narrow home win with limited scoring swings is the most reasonable verdict.

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 Europa League rights holder
• USA / North America: Regional sports network or dedicated soccer streaming service
• South America: Continental sports network with UEFA rights
• MENA: Pan-regional satellite sports broadcaster