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

Benfica welcome Celtic to Lisbon in the UEFA Europa League league stage, with both clubs looking to position themselves strongly in the early rounds of the new format. The match is scheduled in Lisbon, and with the Portuguese side already showing strong attacking numbers in recent Europa League outings, this fixture carries weight for the overall league-stage ranking.

In the current Europa League table, Benfica are listed 4th in the overall league round with 0 points from 0 games, but their recent continental form is excellent, with a sequence of LWWDWW in the competition and 19 goals scored in their last six matches. Celtic sit 9th with 0 points and no games played yet, flagged as a side projected towards the play-offs, but with no recent Europa League form data to lean on. That contrast in recent record underpins the interest in the predicted lineups and expected starting lineup choices on both sides.

Head-to-head history in European competition slightly favours Benfica: in their last two UEFA Champions League meetings back in 2012, Benfica earned a 2–1 home win after a 0–0 draw in Glasgow. With the comparison model giving Benfica a total comparison index of 73.5 against 26.5 for Celtic, and the outcome model assigning 50% home win, 50% draw and 0% away win, this looks like a match where the hosts are expected to dominate, but Celtic’s resilience could still drag it into a tight contest.

Benfica Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Benfica arrive in this league-stage clash with momentum and a deep squad. Their Europa League league form string of LWWDWW shows they have largely recovered from an early setback to become one of the competition’s most dangerous attacking outfits, averaging 3.2 goals per game across their last six in the tournament. With no injuries or suspensions listed for this fixture, the expectation is that Benfica can field something very close to their strongest available starting lineup.

Given their recent attacking output and the presence of several in-form forwards and creative midfielders, Benfica are expected to stick with an attack-minded shape, similar to the structures they have used most often in Europe this season. Their historical use of systems with a lone striker supported by multiple advanced midfielders suggests an aggressive approach against a Celtic side that has yet to register a competitive Europa League fixture this season.

Benfica Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

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

This predicted lineup leans heavily on Benfica’s proven Europa League performers. Up front, V. Pavlidis has been one of the standout players in the entire competition so far: he tops the scoring charts for Benfica with 5 goals and also contributes as a creator with 1 assist. He appears across the top scorers, top assists and disciplinary lists, underlining both his influence and his combative style. Behind him, Rafa offers secondary goal threat and creativity, with 2 goals and 1 assist, while A. Schjelderup, D. Lukebakio, J. Durán and G. Prestianni provide strong depth if Benfica want more pace or direct running from the bench.

In midfield, H. Sudakov, J. Kamiński and L. Barreiro all feature among the leading assist providers for Benfica in this Europa League campaign, each registering at least one assist. Their presence in the expected starting lineup would give Benfica a balanced central unit: Sudakov as a progressive midfielder linking play, Kamiński offering width or an advanced midfield role, and Barreiro providing energy and ball-winning. João Palhinha adds further defensive solidity and screening in front of the back line. At the back, C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo have both chipped in with goals in Europe, while A. Bah has contributed an assist and is a constant outlet on the flank. With A. Trubin in goal and S. El Karouani providing width on the opposite side, this Benfica XI looks well-equipped to sustain pressure and control territory.

Celtic Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Celtic come into this Europa League league stage fixture without any recorded injuries or suspensions, giving them a full squad to choose from. With no prior matches played in this season’s competition, there is no established Europa League form string, but the squad list shows a blend of experience and youth across all lines. That clean bill of health should allow Celtic to select a competitive starting lineup today, even if they face a Benfica side already accustomed to the tempo of this tournament.

With lineups today still to be confirmed officially, Celtic’s expected approach is likely to be more cautious than Benfica’s, built around a solid defensive block and disciplined midfield. The presence of experienced defenders such as C. Carter-Vickers, A. Johnston, K. Tierney and A. Trusty suggests a back line capable of absorbing pressure, while midfielders like C. McGregor and A. Oxlade-Chamberlain can help Celtic retain the ball and launch transitions. In attack, options like K. Høgh, B. Nygren and C. Durán provide different profiles for leading the line.

Celtic Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: V. Sinisalo
DF: A. Johnston; C. Carter-Vickers; L. Scales; K. Tierney
MF: C. McGregor; A. Oxlade-Chamberlain; O. Sørensen; Yang Hyun-Jun; L. McCowan
FW: K. Høgh

Without Europa League top scorers or assist data to guide selection, this predicted starting lineup for Celtic is built around positional balance and seniority. V. Sinisalo is a logical choice in goal among three available keepers. In defence, A. Johnston and K. Tierney provide attacking potential from full-back positions, while C. Carter-Vickers and L. Scales offer aerial strength and experience in central areas. This back four should be tasked with handling Benfica’s high-volume attacking play, especially the movement of Pavlidis and the late runs from Benfica’s midfield.

In midfield, captain figure C. McGregor is expected to anchor the central zone, supported by A. Oxlade-Chamberlain’s ball-carrying and O. Sørensen’s work rate. Wide or advanced midfield roles could fall to Yang Hyun-Jun and L. McCowan, who can help stretch Benfica’s defensive line and provide crossing opportunities. Up front, K. Høgh is a natural focal point as an attacker, with alternatives such as B. Nygren and Shumaira Mheuka available if Celtic opt for more pace or a two-man forward line. The key for Celtic will be turning limited possession into high-quality chances while maintaining compactness between the lines.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no players listed as missing or questionable for either side, absences are not expected to play a direct role in shaping this match. Instead, the dynamic will hinge on tactical choices and how effectively each manager uses the depth available on the bench.

Benfica Absences:

No significant absences reported.

Celtic Absences:

No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

The predicted lineups point towards a clash between Benfica’s aggressive, attack-first approach and Celtic’s more conservative, structurally solid setup. Benfica’s Europa League league record of 19 goals in six matches, with scoring spread across early and late phases of games, suggests they will look to impose themselves from the outset. With Pavlidis leading the line and supported by Rafa, Sudakov and Kamiński, Benfica can threaten both centrally and from the flanks. The presence of A. Bah and S. El Karouani as full-backs further increases their ability to overload wide areas and deliver into the box.

Celtic, by contrast, are likely to emphasise defensive organisation and counter-attacking. The back four of Johnston, Carter-Vickers, Scales and Tierney is capable of forming a compact line in front of Sinisalo, while McGregor and Oxlade-Chamberlain can help Celtic break Benfica’s press when possession is won. The key tactical battle will be in midfield: Benfica’s combination of Palhinha’s ball-winning and the creative passing of Sudakov and Barreiro against Celtic’s central trio. If Celtic can slow Benfica’s tempo and force them into wide, low-percentage crosses, they may be able to keep the game within reach and look for transitions through Yang Hyun-Jun, McCowan or Nygren. However, Benfica’s comparison indices in attack and overall strength are significantly higher, and their league form string of LWWDWW underlines their ability to maintain pressure over 90 minutes.

Match Prediction and Verdict

All indicators point towards Benfica as the favourites. Their recent Europa League form, goal output and the presence of multiple in-form forwards and creative midfielders give them a clear edge over a Celtic side that has yet to establish a statistical profile in this season’s competition. The prediction model assigns 50% probability to a Benfica win, 50% to a draw and 0% to a Celtic victory, underlining both Benfica’s superiority and the possibility that Celtic’s defensive structure could still grind out a result.

Given Benfica’s attacking momentum and the lack of injuries on either side, the most plausible scenario is a home win, though Celtic’s resilience may keep the scoreline tighter than some expect. With goals projections not providing a specific numerical forecast, the verdict leans towards a narrow Benfica success, consistent with their status as predicted winners.

Predicted Outcome: Benfica 1–0 Celtic

How to Watch Benfica vs Celtic Worldwide

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

Spain: Local sports broadcaster / streaming platform (check regional listings)
UK: Major pay-TV sports channel or official UEFA Europa League streaming partner
USA / North America: Subscription-based soccer network or main sports streaming service
South America: Regional cable sports channel and associated streaming apps
MENA: Pan-regional sports network with UEFA Europa League rights