Benfica vs Real Madrid: Confirmed starting lineups in Champions League as Tchouameni starts

Benfica host Real Madrid knowing that only a victory will keep their Champions League hopes alive.

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.

How will Mourinho fare against his former side?

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Benfica team news vs Real Madrid

Mourinho has named an attack-minded 4-2-3-1 with two wingers in Andreas Schjelderup and Gianluca Prestianni.

Benfica starting XI: Trubin; Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl; Barreiro, Aursnes, Sudakov, Prestianni, Schjelderup,Pavlidis

Benfica substitutes: Ferreira, A Silva, Barrenechea, Bruma, Ivanovic, M Silva, Banjaqui, Neto, Oliveira, Cabral, Rego, Prioste

Real Madrid team news vs Benfica

Aurelien Tchouameni gets the nod in the anchor role ahead of Eduardo Camavinga.

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

Real Madrid substitutes: Lunin, Gonzalez, Carvajal, Alaba,Camavinga, Rodrygo, G Garcia, Ceballos, F Garcia, Diaz, Aguado, Cestero

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

Benfica vs Real Madrid kicks off at 20:00 GMT (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT) on Wednesday. In the UK, the match is can be streamed via the Discovery Plus app.

To watch elsewhere in the world, click HERE to find your local rights holder.

Benfica vs Real Madrid stats

• 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