NEC Nijmegen vs Benfica Prediction: Key Stats and Betting Tips

NEC Nijmegen welcome Benfica to Goffertstadion in Nijmegen on 21 January 2027 for a UEFA Europa League League Stage - 7 clash that pitches a debutant in this season’s competition phase against one of the form sides of the tournament. With both teams starting the league stage on 0 points in the overall table but carrying very different levels of European experience and momentum, this fixture has the feel of an early litmus test for NEC’s ambitions.

Benfica arrive as one of the early attacking powerhouses of the Europa League, having already played six matches in the competition framework with a prolific scoring record and strong recent form. NEC, by contrast, are yet to kick a ball in this Europa League campaign in terms of recorded statistics, so this match will effectively set their baseline. For betting-focused fans and prediction hunters, NEC Nijmegen vs Benfica looks like a classic clash between an unknown quantity at this level and a side with proven European scoring power.

NEC Nijmegen vs Benfica Key Stats

• From the Europa League standings, NEC Nijmegen are currently listed 24th in the overall League Round table with 0 points and 0 goals scored or conceded.
• There are no recorded recent head-to-head meetings between NEC Nijmegen and Benfica in the available data, so this tie effectively starts with a blank H2H slate.
• Benfica have scored 19 goals and conceded just 6 across 6 Europa League fixtures in the current campaign statistics, averaging 3.2 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per match.

NEC Nijmegen vs Benfica — Tale of the Tape

• Position: 24 vs 4
• Points: 0 vs 0
• Goals For: 0 vs 0 (standings to date)
• Goals Against: 0 vs 0 (standings to date)
• Clean Sheets: NEC Nijmegen 0 (tournament statistics), Benfica 1 (tournament statistics)

In the official Europa League table for the League Round, both NEC Nijmegen and Benfica are yet to register points or goals, reflecting that the core standings snapshot is taken before this phase fully kicks into gear. NEC are placed 24th, while Benfica sit much higher at 4th, a ranking that mirrors expectations around their respective European profiles more than on-pitch numbers at this exact stage.

Looking at the broader Europa League statistics, Benfica’s six fixtures so far paint a clear picture of a team that thrives in this environment: 4 wins, 1 draw, 1 defeat, and a 19:6 goal difference. NEC’s tournament stats are blank across wins, goals, and disciplinary numbers, underlining their status as an unknown quantity at this level. Benfica’s single clean sheet in the competition also hints that while they are dominant going forward, they are not completely watertight defensively.

NEC Nijmegen vs Benfica Key Matchups

NEC Nijmegen attack vs V. Pavlidis (Benfica)

Without Europa League scoring data for NEC Nijmegen, their attacking threat is harder to quantify, but the squad list shows experienced forwards like D. Tadić and W. Willumsson alongside younger attackers such as K. Sierhuis and E. Mor. They will collectively be tasked with matching the influence of Benfica’s standout forward V. Pavlidis.

Pavlidis has been one of the stars of the Europa League so far for Benfica. Across 3 appearances, he has scored 5 goals and added 1 assist, placing him at the top of both the competition’s scoring and assist charts for his team. He has also picked up 1 yellow card but no reds, underlining an aggressive but controlled presence up front. If NEC cannot contain Pavlidis’ movement and finishing, the game could quickly tilt in Benfica’s favour.

D. Tadić (NEC Nijmegen) vs Rafa (Benfica)

D. Tadić is one of the most recognisable names in the NEC Nijmegen squad, listed as an attacker and wearing the number 10 shirt. While there are no Europa League statistics attached to him yet in this campaign, his experience and technical quality suggest he will be a focal point for NEC’s build-up and set-piece situations.

On the other side, Rafa has been a key supporting attacker for Benfica. In 4 Europa League appearances, he has scored 2 goals and provided 1 assist. He has managed this output without picking up any yellow or red cards, indicating a clean disciplinary record combined with end product. The duel between Tadić’s creativity for NEC and Rafa’s ability to exploit space in and around the box for Benfica could be decisive in terms of chance creation and game control.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

There are no recorded recent head-to-head fixtures between NEC Nijmegen and Benfica in the available competition data. This encounter therefore stands as a fresh tactical and historical matchup, with no prior results to lean on for trends or psychological edges.

NEC Nijmegen vs Benfica Prediction

The predictive probabilities for this match are strikingly balanced on paper, with 33% assigned to a home win, 33% to a draw, and 33% to an away win. However, the underlying form and tournament statistics point in a different direction. Benfica come into this fixture with excellent Recent Form in the Europa League framework: 4 wins, 1 draw, and just 1 defeat from 6 matches, scoring freely at an average of 3.2 goals per game and conceding only 1.0 on average.

NEC Nijmegen, by contrast, have no recorded Europa League form or goals in the current campaign’s data. That does not mean they are weak, but it does mean they are unproven at this level against a side that has already demonstrated a high attacking ceiling. Benfica’s last-five record in the competition context (18 goals scored and 4 conceded across 5 matches) suggests they are likely to dominate territory and chance creation, even away from home.

Given Benfica’s offensive firepower, spearheaded by V. Pavlidis and supported by Rafa, and their ability to find goals throughout the 90 minutes, NEC may struggle to keep a clean sheet. At the same time, Benfica’s defensive record, while solid, is not impenetrable, so NEC could find opportunities if they transition quickly through players like D. Tadić or E. Mor. Overall, though, the balance of evidence favours an away win by a narrow margin.

Predicted Score: NEC Nijmegen 1-2 Benfica

NEC Nijmegen Recent Form

NEC Nijmegen have no recorded Europa League Recent Form in the current season’s statistics. Their standings and team stats show 0 matches played, 0 wins, 0 draws, 0 defeats, and no goals scored or conceded. As such, they enter this League Stage fixture as a statistical blank slate, with their European level yet to be tested in this campaign.

Benfica Recent Form

Benfica’s Recent Form in the Europa League is strong and clearly defined. Their league form string reads LWWDWW, reflecting 4 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss across 6 matches. During this run, they have scored 19 goals and conceded 6, with 14 of those goals coming at home and 5 away. Their average of 3.2 goals scored per game, combined with only 1.0 conceded, positions them as one of the most dangerous attacking sides in the competition so far.

In their last five matches within this framework, Benfica have scored 18 goals and conceded just 4, underlining a potent blend of attacking variety and reasonable defensive stability. They have also converted all 4 of their penalties, showing composure in high-pressure situations.

NEC Nijmegen Possible Starting Lineup

GK: G. Crettaz or N. Polster; Defenders: B. Nuytinck, P. Sandler, P. Schuurs, T. Storm; Midfielders: T. Chery, D. Geiger, Jamiro Monteiro, D. Nejašmić; Forwards: D. Tadić, W. Willumsson.

NEC Nijmegen’s squad list suggests a blend of seasoned professionals and emerging talents. At the back, experienced centre-backs like B. Nuytinck and P. Schuurs can provide structure, while P. Sandler and T. Storm add depth across the defensive line. In midfield, the presence of T. Chery and Jamiro Monteiro offers technical quality and creativity, supported by D. Geiger and D. Nejašmić as potential ball-winners and link players.

Further forward, D. Tadić and W. Willumsson stand out as likely attacking focal points, with support options including E. Mor, K. Sierhuis, and B. Linssen. Tactically, NEC may opt for a compact shape, looking to use Tadić’s intelligence between the lines and Willumsson’s movement to exploit any gaps behind Benfica’s aggressive full-backs.

Benfica Possible Starting Lineup

GK: A. Trubin; Defenders: A. Bah, C. Lenglet, Tomás Araújo, S. El Karouani; Midfielders: F. Aursnes, L. Barreiro, H. Sudakov; Attacking line: Rafa, A. Schjelderup, V. Pavlidis.

Benfica’s squad is rich in options, but their Europa League statistics point to a side built around a strong attacking core. At the back, C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo both have Europa League goals to their name (1 each), indicating a threat on set pieces as well as defensive experience. A. Bah offers width and has contributed 1 assist, though he also has 1 yellow card, showing his combative style on the flank.

In midfield, players like F. Aursnes, L. Barreiro, H. Sudakov, and E. Barrenechea bring balance, with several of them having registered at least 1 assist. Further forward, Rafa, A. Schjelderup, D. Lukebakio, J. Durán, G. Prestianni, and V. Pavlidis give Benfica a deep pool of attacking talent. With Pavlidis’ 5 goals and 1 assist, and supporting scorers like Rafa (2 goals, 1 assist) and Schjelderup (1 goal, 1 assist), Benfica are likely to line up in an attack-minded shape, often using formations such as 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-3-2, which they have already deployed multiple times in this campaign.

NEC Nijmegen Team News

No significant absences reported.

Benfica Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

NEC Nijmegen:

• None reported.

Benfica:

• None reported.

Betting Tips: NEC Nijmegen vs Benfica

Below are three data-driven betting angles based on Europa League form and statistics.

• Result Tip: Back Benfica Draw No Bet or Benfica to win. With Benfica’s strong Recent Form (LWWDWW in the Europa League structure) and 19 goals scored across 6 matches, they look the more reliable side despite the headline probabilities being split evenly at 33% for each outcome. NEC’s lack of recorded tournament form makes them harder to trust against such an in-form opponent.
• Goals Tip: Over 2.5 total goals. Benfica’s matches in this campaign have been high scoring, with an average of 3.2 goals scored by them alone per game and 1.0 conceded. Their last-five record of 18 goals for and 4 against suggests an open contest. Even if NEC are cautious, Benfica’s attacking depth, led by V. Pavlidis, points towards a match with at least three goals.
• Value Tip: V. Pavlidis to score anytime. Pavlidis has 5 goals and 1 assist in just 3 Europa League appearances, making him one of the most prolific forwards in the competition so far. With Benfica creating chances consistently and NEC’s defensive level at this stage untested, backing Pavlidis in goalscorer markets offers clear value relative to his output.

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