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Benfica vs OFI Prediction: Key Stats and Betting Tips

Benfica host OFI in Lisbon on 10 December 2026 in a UEFA Europa League League Stage - 6 clash that could have major implications for the final league-phase ranking. The Portuguese side arrive as one of the competition’s most explosive attacks so far, while OFI have quietly built a perfect defensive record across their early continental outings.

On the league table, Benfica are currently 4th in the overall League Round ranking with 0 points listed but a sparkling recent form line of WWDWW. OFI sit 25th, also on 0 points in the standings snapshot, but with a flawless “WW” form string that underlines how dangerous they can be in one-off games. With both sides eyeing seeding advantages and momentum heading into the knockout picture, this Benfica vs OFI Europa League tie shapes as a fascinating clash of attacking firepower versus defensive resilience.

Played in Lisbon, Benfica will lean heavily on their home strength and deep squad of proven European performers. OFI, meanwhile, bring a compact 3-4-3 structure, two wins from two in this Europa League campaign, and the confidence of having yet to concede a goal in the competition.

Benfica vs OFI Key Stats

  • Benfica are ranked 4th in the Europa League League Round, with a recent form line of WWDWW in the standings.
  • There are no previous head-to-head meetings between Benfica and OFI listed in recent European competition.
  • Across 6 Europa League fixtures this season, Benfica have scored 19 goals (3.2 per game) and conceded just 6, while OFI have scored 5 and conceded 0 in 2 matches.

Benfica vs OFI — Tale of the Tape

  • Position: 4 vs 25
  • Points: 0 vs 0
  • Goals For: 0 vs 0
  • Goals Against: 0 vs 0
  • Clean Sheets: Benfica 1 (tournament statistics), OFI 2 (tournament statistics)

The raw standings table lists both teams on 0 points and 0 goals for and against, reflecting that this League Round snapshot is structural rather than a full record of their on-pitch output. The more detailed tournament statistics tell a different story: Benfica have already played 6 Europa League matches, winning 4, drawing 1 and losing 1, with 19 goals scored and only 6 conceded. That attacking return, combined with a goal difference of +13 across those games, underpins their status as one of the most dangerous sides in the competition.

OFI, by contrast, have a much smaller sample size but a perfect one. Two games, two wins, 5 goals scored and none conceded is an outstanding start to life in this Europa League campaign. Their clean-sheet tally of 2 from 2, plus a defensive average of 0.0 goals conceded per match, highlights a side built on structure and discipline. Benfica’s superior attacking volume and deeper European pedigree are clear, but OFI’s defensive numbers and 100% record ensure this is no formality.

Benfica vs OFI Key Matchups

V. Pavlidis vs OFI’s back three

V. Pavlidis has been the standout forward in the Europa League for Benfica so far. In 3 appearances he has scored 5 goals and added 1 assist, while also picking up 1 yellow card. That return makes him both the competition’s top scorer and a leading creator for the Portuguese side. His presence as a central attacker, supported by a host of creative midfielders, is the primary threat OFI must contain.

OFI’s defensive unit, organised in a 3-4-3, has yet to concede in 2 Europa League outings. With 0 goals against in both home and away fixtures and a total clean-sheet count of 2, their back three and wing-backs have been immaculate so far. The tactical battle between Pavlidis’ penalty-box movement and finishing, and an OFI defence that has not been breached in Europe this season, is likely to define the match.

Rafa vs OFI’s midfield shield

Rafa offers Benfica a different type of attacking threat. The 33-year-old forward has made 4 Europa League appearances, scoring 2 goals and providing 1 assist. His ability to drift between the lines, combine with teammates and arrive in the box makes him a key secondary scorer behind Pavlidis. He has managed to stay card-free in the competition, underlining a focus on attacking contribution rather than physical duels.

OFI’s midfield, anchored by experienced names such as A. Bouchalakis and supported by workers like G. Kanellópoulos and Z. Karachalios, will be tasked with closing Rafa’s spaces. With OFI yet to concede, their midfield screen has clearly been effective in protecting the back line. If Rafa can find pockets between OFI’s midfield and defence, Benfica will significantly increase their chances of breaking down the visitors’ perfect defensive record.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

These two clubs have not met in recent European competition, so there is no direct head-to-head history to draw on. That adds an extra layer of tactical intrigue, with both coaches relying on scouting and recent Europa League performances rather than historical trends.

    Benfica vs OFI Prediction

    Stats suggest a classic clash of styles. Benfica arrive with a high-tempo, attack-first profile: 19 goals scored in 6 Europa League games, an average of 3.2 per match, and only 1 failure to score across the campaign. At home, they have been even more ruthless, netting 14 goals in 3 fixtures (4.7 per game) and conceding just 2.

    OFI, however, bring a perfect defensive record and a compact 3-4-3 system that has yielded 2 wins from 2, 5 goals scored and 0 conceded. Their last-five metrics show 100% form and 100 in defensive index, pointing to a side that is extremely hard to break down, albeit from a smaller sample size than Benfica’s.

    The prediction model gives Benfica a 35% chance of winning, with the draw also at 35% and OFI at 30%. That spread reflects respect for OFI’s early form and defensive solidity, but still leans slightly towards the hosts’ superior attacking numbers and deeper experience at this level. With Benfica’s firepower and OFI’s organisation, a tight home win feels the likeliest outcome.

    Predicted Score: Benfica 2-1 OFI

    Benfica Recent Form

    Benfica’s recent form in Europa League play is strong, with a sequence recorded as WWDWW in the standings. Across 6 tournament matches they have 4 wins, 1 draw and just 1 defeat. They have scored 19 goals and conceded 6, keeping 1 clean sheet and failing to score in none of those fixtures. At home, they have been perfect: 3 wins from 3, 14 goals scored and only 2 conceded, underlining Estádio da Luz’s reputation as a fortress in European nights.

    OFI Recent Form

    OFI’s Europa League form is spotless so far, reflected by a “WW” sequence in the standings. In 2 matches, they have won both, scoring 5 goals and conceding 0. Their results include a 3-0 home victory and a 0-2 away win, highlighting their ability to both dominate at home and execute an effective game plan on the road. With 2 clean sheets in 2 and no failures to score, OFI enter Lisbon in excellent, if still relatively untested, European form.

    Benfica Possible Starting Lineup

    GK: A. Trubin; Defenders: C. Lenglet, A. Bah, Tomás Araújo, S. Dahl; Midfielders: Joã o Palhinha, L. Barreiro, H. Sudakov, J. Kamiński; Forwards: Rafa, V. Pavlidis.

    Benfica have consistently alternated between 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-3-2 formations in this Europa League campaign, with those shapes used in all 6 matches. A. Trubin is the standout choice in goal, while C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo offer ball-playing ability at the back. A. Bah provides width and overlapping runs from full-back. In midfield, Joã o Palhinha and L. Barreiro bring balance and ball-winning, with H. Sudakov and J. Kamiński contributing creativity and assists (both have 1 assist each in the competition). Up front, Rafa supports V. Pavlidis, who leads the line as the primary goal threat with 5 goals and 1 assist. This setup maximises Benfica’s attacking depth while still offering a solid spine.

    OFI Possible Starting Lineup

    GK: N. Christogeorgos; Defenders: Borja González, D. Nikolaou, A. Poungouras; Midfielders: L. Dickmann, G. Kanellópoulos, Z. Karachalios, N. Athanasiou; Forwards: Aitor Cantalapiedra, T. Fountas, K. Kodro.

    OFI have deployed a 3-4-3 system in both of their Europa League fixtures so far, and that shape is likely to be retained in Lisbon. The back three of Borja González, D. Nikolaou and A. Poungouras is protected by a hard-working midfield four, with wing-backs like L. Dickmann and N. Athanasiou key to both defensive width and counter-attacking transitions. In attack, a front trio featuring Aitor Cantalapiedra, T. Fountas and K. Kodro offers a mix of pace, technical quality and penalty-box presence. This structure has produced 5 goals and 2 clean sheets in 2 games, suggesting OFI will not abandon their identity even against a heavyweight like Benfica.

    Benfica Team News

    No significant absences reported.

    OFI Team News

    No significant absences reported.

    Injuries & Suspensions

    Benfica:

    • None reported.

    OFI:

    • None reported.

    Betting Tips: Benfica vs OFI

    Based on the available probabilities, form trends and tactical profiles, here are three data-backed betting angles for Benfica vs OFI:

    • Result Tip: Benfica to win. With Benfica given a 35% chance of victory and OFI at 30%, the hosts are marginal favourites despite OFI’s perfect defensive record. Benfica’s 4 wins from 6 Europa League matches, combined with 14 goals in 3 home games, point towards a narrow home success. (No pre-match odds are available in the current data, so stake sizing should be adjusted accordingly.)
    • Goals Tip: Over 2.5 goals. Benfica’s Europa League matches have averaged 4.2 total goals (19 scored, 6 conceded across 6 games), and they have seen at least 3 goals in 4 of those fixtures. OFI average 2.5 goals for per game themselves. Even allowing for OFI’s strong defence, Benfica’s attacking volume suggests a good chance of a game with three or more goals. (Specific odds are not listed, but this market should be considered where available.)
    • Value Tip: V. Pavlidis to score anytime. Pavlidis has 5 goals and 1 assist in just 3 Europa League appearances, making him the standout individual attacking threat in this fixture. His combination of form and central role in Benfica’s attack offers strong value in the goalscorer markets, especially against an OFI side that has yet to face a frontline of this calibre. (Check available goalscorer prices with your bookmaker for potential value.)

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

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