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, with both sides looking to consolidate strong early-season momentum in Europe. While the official starting lineups are not yet known, the predicted lineups point to an attacking contest: Benfica arrive with a prolific record of 19 goals in 6 recent Europa League fixtures, while OFI have opened their campaign with two straight wins and no goals conceded.

In the overall league-stage ranking, Benfica are listed 4th in the League Round section, with recent league form of LWWDWW, underlining both their attacking firepower and occasional defensive vulnerability. OFI sit 25th in the same League Round, but their shorter form line of WW and a perfect defensive record in those two Europa League matches suggest they are no pushovers. This clash in Lisbon will be a key barometer of how far OFI can go in this competition and whether Benfica’s superior squad depth and firepower, highlighted by several players high in the top scorers and assists charts, will translate into another home win.

With plenty on the line in terms of seeding and momentum going into the knockout phase, fans are already searching for Benfica vs OFI predicted lineups and the expected starting lineup. Below, we break down the likely team news, tactical setups, and how the lineups today are expected to match up.

Benfica Team News & Expected Lineups Today

There are no confirmed injury or suspension issues listed for Benfica ahead of this Europa League fixture. With no significant absences reported, the Portuguese side should be able to call on a full-strength group, including several players who feature prominently in the competition’s top scorers and top assists rankings. That depth gives the coach the flexibility to rotate if needed, but the expectation is that he will still field a very strong side to secure a statement result at home.

Recent Europa League form shows Benfica scoring freely (an average of 3.2 goals per game across their last six European fixtures), and their typical tactical approach has been attack-minded, with variations around a back four and an advanced line of three supporting a central striker. Based on the lineups used most often in Europe, and given their strong home record (3 wins from 3 recent European home games), the expected setup should again prioritize width, fluid movement between the lines, and aggressive pressing high up the pitch.

Benfica Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

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

This predicted starting lineup leans heavily on Benfica’s Europa League standouts. Up front, V. Pavlidis is the clear focal point: he leads the competition’s scoring charts for Benfica with 5 goals and also contributes as a creator with 1 assist. His presence as the central striker in the expected XI is virtually assured given that end product and his high involvement across 3 appearances. Around him, D. Lukebakio offers pace and direct running; he has 1 goal and 1 assist in just 2 Europa League outings, making him one of the most efficient attacking options in the squad.

Behind the front line, Rafa has been another key figure, with 2 goals and 1 assist from 4 appearances, operating as a forward or advanced midfielder. In this predicted lineup, he is expected to take up a free role between the lines, linking midfield and attack and drifting into pockets where he can combine with Pavlidis and Lukebakio. Creative support also comes from J. Kamiński and H. Sudakov, both listed among the top assist providers for Benfica in the competition with 1 assist each. L. Barreiro provides balance and work rate in midfield, also contributing 1 assist in Europe.

Defensively, C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo are natural picks at centre-back, both having scored once in the Europa League and featuring regularly. Their ability to step into midfield and play progressive passes suits Benfica’s attacking style. On the flanks, A. Bah is a constant outlet; he has 1 assist and is heavily involved in both the top assists and top yellow cards lists, underlining his aggressive two-way role. S. Dahl offers energy and defensive stability on the opposite side. With A. Trubin as the established first-choice goalkeeper in the squad list, he is the logical pick to start between the posts in this expected lineup.

OFI Team News & Expected Lineups Today

For OFI, there are likewise no listed injuries or suspensions, meaning no significant absences reported ahead of the trip to Lisbon. That allows the Greek side to maintain continuity from their excellent start to the Europa League, where they have recorded two wins from two, scoring 5 goals and conceding none. Their league form string of WW and a clean-sheet record in both home and away fixtures underline the solidity and structure that have underpinned their early success.

OFI have been using an attacking-minded shape with three central defenders and advanced wide players, as reflected by their most-used setup in Europe being a 3-4-3. The lineups today are expected to follow that template: a compact, well-drilled back line, a hard-working midfield unit, and a flexible front three capable of exploiting transitions. With no absentees, the coach can select his strongest eleven to try to frustrate Benfica and hit on the break.

OFI Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: N. Christogeorgos
DF: Borja González, N. Marinakis, D. Nikolaou
MF: L. Dickmann, T. Androutsos, A. Bouchalakis, G. Kanellópoulos
FW: Aitor Cantalapiedra, T. Fountas, K. Kodro

In goal, N. Christogeorgos is a natural first-choice candidate from the available goalkeeper pool, supported by a back three of experienced defenders. Borja González, N. Marinakis, and D. Nikolaou provide a blend of aerial strength and positional awareness, crucial against a Benfica side that scores across all phases of the game. Their task will be to maintain the defensive standards that have seen OFI concede 0 goals in their last two European outings.

The midfield line in this predicted XI is built around work rate and control. L. Dickmann and T. Androutsos are well suited to operate as wide or hybrid midfielders, offering width in possession and defensive cover out of possession. Centrally, A. Bouchalakis and G. Kanellópoulos bring experience and composure, tasked with screening the defence and initiating transitions. Up front, the trio of Aitor Cantalapiedra, T. Fountas, and K. Kodro offers variety: Aitor and Fountas can drift wide or drop between the lines, while Kodro provides a traditional reference point as a central striker. This expected front line should allow OFI to counter quickly and make the most of limited possession.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no injuries or suspensions listed for either side, this Europa League fixture is set to be contested by two essentially full-strength squads. That increases the likelihood that the game will be decided by tactical choices, in-game adjustments, and the quality of finishing in the final third rather than enforced changes or makeshift solutions.

Benfica Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

OFI Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

The predicted lineups suggest a clash between Benfica’s high-tempo, attack-first approach and OFI’s more balanced, structured game plan. Benfica’s recent European record – 19 goals scored and only 6 conceded across their last six Europa League fixtures – indicates a side that pushes numbers forward, creates chances from wide areas, and keeps constant pressure on the opposition back line. With Pavlidis, Rafa, Lukebakio, and creative midfielders like Sudakov and Kamiński all in the expected starting lineup, Benfica are likely to dominate territory and possession, especially at home.

OFI, meanwhile, arrive with a perfect defensive record in their last two Europa League matches and a clean-sheet streak both home and away. Their 3-4-3 base allows them to drop into a compact back five without the ball, with wing-backs tracking Benfica’s wide threats. The central midfield pair of Bouchalakis and Kanellópoulos will be crucial in closing down spaces where Rafa and Sudakov like to operate. Going forward, OFI’s front three can exploit the spaces left behind Benfica’s advanced full-backs, particularly if A. Bah and S. Dahl push high. The key tactical battle will revolve around whether OFI can maintain their defensive discipline long enough to frustrate Benfica’s attack, and whether Benfica’s relentless pressing can force errors from OFI’s back line when they attempt to build or counter.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Stats suggest that Benfica have the edge in overall squad strength and attacking output, while OFI bring excellent early form and defensive solidity. The prediction model gives Benfica a 35% chance to win, the draw also at 35%, and OFI at 30%, reflecting a relatively balanced contest on paper but with a slight lean towards the home side. The comparison indices also favour Benfica overall, with a higher overall comparison index and attack index, while OFI’s defence index is stronger.

Given Benfica’s home scoring record, the presence of the competition’s leading scorer V. Pavlidis in the expected starting lineup, and the depth of creative support around him, they should be able to create enough chances to break down OFI’s resistance at least once. At the same time, OFI’s perfect defensive record and efficient counter-attacking threat mean they are capable of taking something from the game, especially if Benfica leave spaces in transition. With the goals fields in the prediction data not providing a direct expected scoreline, and the winner leaning towards Benfica but with significant draw probability, a conservative verdict is that Benfica edge a tight, tactical encounter by a single goal.

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 broadcaster / streaming platform
• UK: Major pay-TV sports channel or official UEFA streaming partner
• USA / North America: National soccer-focused network or subscription streaming service
• South America: Regional sports network with UEFA rights or official streaming app
• MENA: Pan-regional satellite sports network or licensed digital platform