Plzen vs Benfica Predicted Lineups: Team News for UEFA Europa League

Plzen welcome Benfica to Doosan Arena in Plzen for a pivotal UEFA Europa League league-stage clash. With the competition in the “League Stage - 5” round, both sides are looking to position themselves strongly for qualification going into the final matchdays. While Plzen sit 36th in the overall league-stage ranking with 0 points, Benfica are much higher up in 4th, also on 0 points but clearly rated as one of the strongest sides in the competition.

Standings and recent form underline the contrast between the clubs. Plzen’s league ranking of 36th comes off a mixed early record, with form listed as “WL” in the Europa League context and “LW” in their broader recent run, including a heavy 3-0 away defeat but also a thumping 5-1 home win. Benfica, by contrast, are 4th with form “WWDWW” in the Europa League standings snapshot and “LWWDWW” in their wider recent sequence, scoring freely and rarely failing to control games. This makes predicted lineups particularly interesting: can Plzen’s expected starting lineup find the defensive structure to contain one of the competition’s most dangerous attacks?

With no official team sheets available yet, this preview focuses on analytically derived predicted lineups, expected starting XIs, and tactical setups based on squad lists, form trends and key player data from the Europa League campaign so far.

Plzen Team News & Expected Lineups Today

There are no listed injuries or suspensions for Plzen ahead of this fixture, so the coaching staff should have a full squad to choose from. That gives them the flexibility to tailor their expected lineup to Benfica’s high-tempo, attacking style. Plzen’s Europa League league data shows a side that can be explosive at home – a 5-1 victory in their only home outing so far – but also vulnerable away, as seen in their 3-0 defeat. Their form string “LW” in the competition and “WL” in the standings block suggests inconsistency rather than outright weakness.

Tactically, Plzen have alternated between two shapes in Europe, with lineups recorded in an attacking-minded configuration in one match and a more crowded midfield structure in the other. At home to Benfica, expect a relatively compact defensive block behind a mobile front line, aiming to replicate the intensity of that 5-1 win. With no enforced absences, the manager can field an expected XI built around experience in midfield and pace in attack to exploit transitions.

Plzen Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: D. Ťapaj
DF: Merchas Doski; S. Dweh; A. Gabriel; V. Jemelka
MF: L. Červ; P. Hrošovský; T. Ladra; A. Memić; C. Souaré
FW: M. Vydra

This predicted lineup leans on balance and experience. In goal, D. Ťapaj is selected from the available keepers as a likely starter, with M. Tvrdoň and F. Wiegele providing depth. At the back, a defensive line built around Merchas Doski, S. Dweh, A. Gabriel and V. Jemelka offers a blend of physicality and age profiles suited to dealing with Benfica’s aerial threat and through balls. In midfield, L. Červ and P. Hrošovský provide control and distribution, while T. Ladra, A. Memić and C. Souaré give Plzen ball-carrying and pressing options between the lines.

Up front, veteran forward M. Vydra leads the line as the focal point of the starting lineup, supported by a cluster of young attackers like P. Adu, B. Faal, C. Kabongo, S. Lawal, A. Novak and M. Toure available from the bench. With no standout Europa League scorer data for Plzen in the current stats set, the emphasis is likely to be on collective attacking contributions rather than reliance on a single star. Expect them to sit deeper, compress space centrally and look to spring Vydra and the advanced midfielders on quick counters.

Benfica Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Benfica travel to Plzen in outstanding form and with no significant absences reported. Their broader recent sequence of “LWWDWW” in league-related form and an attacking output of 19 goals in 6 fixtures highlights the strength of the squad. Defensively they have conceded just 6 in that span, underlining a balanced side that can both dominate the ball and manage transitions effectively.

For those tracking lineups today, Benfica’s expected XI is shaped by a clear pattern in their recent Europa League usage. They have predominantly lined up in an attack-focused configuration, with formations recorded as a system featuring a double pivot and another with a more advanced second striker. Given their superiority on paper and the comparison indices (overall comparison index leaning 59.8 to 40.3 in Benfica’s favour, and a form index of 81 to 19), the Portuguese side are likely to field a strong team rather than a heavily rotated one, especially with top scorer V. Pavlidis in prolific continental form.

Benfica Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: A. Trubin
DF: A. Bah; C. Lenglet; Tomás Araújo; S. El Karouani
MF: Joāo Palhinha; E. Barrenechea; H. Sudakov; J. Kamiński; Rafa
FW: V. Pavlidis

In goal, A. Trubin is the logical first choice from a strong goalkeeping group that also includes Samuel Soares and Diogo Ferreira. The back line is built around key Europa League contributors: A. Bah provides aggressive overlapping and has already registered an assist, while C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo both feature in the goals and cards data as defenders with set-piece threat and solid defensive metrics. S. El Karouani completes a back four that should be comfortable both defending deep and pushing high.

Midfield is an area of real strength. Joāo Palhinha is the natural anchor, protecting the defence and enabling E. Barrenechea to shuttle and link play. Ahead of them, H. Sudakov, J. Kamiński and Rafa combine creativity, pressing and off-the-ball movement. All three appear in the Europa League assists lists, with Sudakov, Kamiński and Rafa each credited with an assist, while Rafa has also scored twice. This trio will be central to Benfica’s ability to overload half-spaces and pull Plzen’s block out of shape.

Up front, V. Pavlidis is the undisputed focal point. He leads the Europa League scoring charts for Benfica with 5 goals and 1 assist from just 3 appearances, and he also tops the assists and card lists for the club, underlining how involved he is in all phases. Around him, Benfica have further attacking depth in D. Lukebakio, A. Schjelderup, J. Durán, G. Prestianni and Bruma, all of whom appear in the scoring or assist data and can change a game from the bench. Expect Pavlidis to be supported closely by the advanced midfield line, effectively turning the shape into a very attack-minded configuration when Benfica have sustained possession.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no listed injuries or suspensions for either side, squad availability is not expected to distort the tactical balance of this match. Both coaches can select their preferred starting lineup and adjust in-game with a full complement of substitutes.

Plzen Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Benfica Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

This contest pits Plzen’s likely compact, reactive setup against one of the Europa League’s most potent attacking units. Plzen’s early European data shows they can score in bursts – 5 goals across their first two fixtures with an average of 2.5 per game – but they also concede at a rate of 2 per match. Their goals for are spread across various time windows, with strikes in almost every 15-minute segment, suggesting they can threaten throughout rather than in isolated spells. However, their defence has allowed goals in each key phase of the game, which is a concern against a side with Benfica’s firepower.

Benfica’s predicted lineup is built to exploit exactly those weaknesses. Their attack index is heavily in their favour (78 vs 22), and their recent Europa League goals profile is outstanding: 19 scored in 6 matches, averaging 3.2 per game, with a consistent threat in every 15-minute window and especially around the end of each half. With creators like Rafa, H. Sudakov and J. Kamiński feeding V. Pavlidis, Plzen’s back four of Merchas Doski, S. Dweh, A. Gabriel and V. Jemelka will be under constant pressure from diagonal runs, cut-backs and second-phase balls around the box.

The midfield battle will be critical. Plzen’s expected trio and advanced midfielders must find a way to disrupt Joāo Palhinha’s control and E. Barrenechea’s distribution, while tracking the late runs of Rafa and the movement of Pavlidis between the lines. If Plzen can maintain a tight, narrow block and funnel Benfica wide, they might limit central overloads and rely on aerial strength to deal with crosses. However, Benfica’s depth in wide and half-space playmakers – from G. Prestianni and A. Schjelderup to D. Lukebakio – means they can adjust mid-game to attack whichever channel appears weakest.

Match Prediction and Verdict

All quantitative indicators point towards Benfica having a clear edge. The match outcome model gives Plzen only a 10% chance to win, with a 45% probability of a draw and 45% for a Benfica victory. The overall comparison index is tilted 59.8 to 40.3 in Benfica’s favour, and the form index is even more stark at 81 to 19. The Poisson index, which approximates scoring potential, also leans towards Benfica by 70 to 30.

Given Benfica’s attacking production, their strong recent form and the presence of one of the competition’s standout forwards in V. Pavlidis, they should create enough chances to take control of the game, even away from home. Plzen’s home output suggests they can score, especially on transitions, so a completely one-sided scoreline is not guaranteed. But with Benfica rated to avoid defeat (“Win or draw” advice and double-chance backing) and their offensive metrics, a narrow away win looks the most likely outcome.

Predicted Outcome: Plzen 0–1 Benfica

How to Watch Plzen vs Benfica Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

• Spain: Local sports pay-TV channel or major streaming platform (check regional listings)
• UK: Subscription-based sports broadcaster or official UEFA Europa League streaming partner
• USA / North America: Cable sports network or dedicated soccer streaming service carrying UEFA Europa League
• South America: Regional sports network and associated streaming app with Europa League rights
• MENA: Pan-regional satellite sports network and its official digital platforms