Benfica v Real Madrid – Line-ups, stats and preview

Match Preview for Benfica v Real Madrid

Benfica host Real Madrid at Estadio da Luz on Wednesday night knowing that only a victory will keep their Champions League hopes alive heading into the final reckoning of the league phase.

The Portuguese side begin matchday eight sitting 29th in the 36-team table, two points adrift of the final playoff positions, while Madrid arrive in Lisbon placed third but still not mathematically assured of a top-eight finish, with the standings tightly packed beneath them.

Benfica’s European campaign has been defined by an early collapse. Four consecutive defeats at the start of the league phase left Jose Mourinho’s side with little margin for error, although back-to-back 2-0 wins over Ajax and Napoli briefly reignited belief.

That momentum was halted last week with a 2-0 defeat away to Juventus, a result that left Benfica relying on a combination of their own result and favourable outcomes elsewhere to sneak into the top 24.

Real Madrid also arrive after a turbulent period, having endured managerial upheaval earlier this month before stabilising under new leadership. Los Blancos have now won three consecutive matches in all competitions, including a 2-0 away victory at Villarreal that kept them within touching distance of the La Liga summit.

Madrid’s Champions League campaign has been far more controlled. Five wins from seven matches have placed them firmly in contention for automatic qualification, and another victory here would confirm a place in the last 16.

Team news for Benfica v Real Madrid

Benfica remain without Alexander Bah, Samuel Soares, Dodi Lukebakio and Henrique Araujo due to injury, while Richard Rios is expected to miss out again through a lingering fitness issue.

January arrival Sidny Lopes Cabral is ineligible for the league phase despite scoring at the weekend, while Rafa Silva is also unavailable for the same reason.

Nicolas Otamendi is set to reach a personal milestone, becoming just the third Argentine to make 100 Champions League appearances.

Vangelis Pavlidis is expected to lead the line after ending a recent goal drought with a brace in domestic action.

Real Madrid will travel without Trent Alexander-Arnold, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy and Antonio Rudiger, all of whom remain sidelined through injury.

Aurelien Tchouameni returns after suspension, while Alvaro Carreras is in line to face his former club following his move from Benfica last summer.

Expected line-ups for Benfica v Real Madrid

Benfica: Trubin; Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl; Aursnes, Barrenechea; Prestianni, Barreiro, Sudakov; Pavlidis

Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouameni, Bellingham, Guler; Mastantuono, Mbappe, Vinicius

How to watch Benfica v Real Madrid: TV channel, online stream

Benfica v Real Madrid will take place on Wednesday night, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm (UK time).

The match will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports, with coverage available on discovery+.

The stats for Benfica v Real Madrid

• Benfica have lost five of their seven Champions League matches this season
• Real Madrid have won five of their seven league-phase fixtures
• Benfica are two points outside the final playoff positions
• Kylian Mbappe has scored 11 goals in the Champions League this season
• Real Madrid have won four consecutive away matches against Portuguese opposition

Prediction

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