Benfica vs AZ Alkmaar Predicted Lineups: Team News for UEFA Europa League

Benfica welcome AZ Alkmaar to Lisbon in the UEFA Europa League League Stage - 8, with both sides looking to stamp an early marker on the group-style phase. The match is scheduled for 28 January 2027, and although the league table is still blank in terms of points and goals, the Portuguese side arrive with strong recent continental form and plenty of attacking firepower, making their predicted lineups one of the main talking points today.

In the overall Europa League table, Benfica are currently listed 4th in the League Round group, while AZ Alkmaar sit 3rd, both on 0 points with no games played yet. That ranking is largely nominal at this stage, but Benfica’s recent record in the competition is far more established: their league form string of LWWDWW and a recent scoring rate of 3.2 goals per game underline why their expected starting lineup will be built around a high-tempo, front-foot approach. AZ, by contrast, enter with no competitive Europa League data yet this season, which adds uncertainty to their predicted lineups but also an element of tactical surprise.

With no official team sheets released yet, this preview focuses on analytically built predicted lineups, using squad lists, recent form and key player outputs to anticipate the most likely starting XI and tactical setup for both Benfica and AZ Alkmaar.

Benfica Team News & Expected Lineups Today

From a squad-availability standpoint, Benfica look in excellent shape. There are no confirmed injuries or suspensions listed for this fixture, so the Lisbon club should have close to a full group to choose from. That allows the coach to lean heavily on the players who have driven their impressive Europa League form so far, especially in attack where the numbers are outstanding.

Benfica’s recent continental run has been defined by aggressive attacking play and a strong home record: 4 wins from 6, with 14 goals scored at home and an average of 4.7 goals per game in Lisbon. With a form line of LWWDWW and no failures to score in this European stretch, the expected approach is again an attacking-minded shape, with plenty of runners around a central striker and adventurous full-backs. The predicted lineup today is therefore built around their top scorers and leading chance-creators.

Benfica Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

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

This predicted starting lineup leans heavily on Benfica’s most productive Europa League performers. Up front, V. Pavlidis is the undisputed focal point: with 5 goals and 1 assist in just 3 appearances, he is not only the competition’s leading scorer for Benfica but also sits atop their assists chart. His presence as the central forward in the expected XI is non-negotiable, and the entire attacking structure is likely to be built around providing him with frequent service in the box.

Behind Pavlidis, Rafa, A. Schjelderup, D. Lukebakio, J. Durán and G. Prestianni all have strong goal contributions, but given the need for balance, Rafa and J. Kamiński are the most natural fits to start in advanced midfield or wide roles. Rafa has 2 goals and 1 assist in 4 games, while Kamiński has chipped in with an assist and offers work rate between the lines. H. Sudakov and L. Barreiro, both with an assist each, give control and progression in central midfield, supported by the more positional E. Barrenechea. At the back, C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo have even contributed goals from defence, with A. Bah adding an assist and strong overlapping threat on the right. That combination underpins a proactive, possession-heavy approach that should keep Benfica on the front foot at home.

AZ Alkmaar Team News & Expected Lineups Today

AZ Alkmaar also come into this tie without any reported injuries or suspensions, meaning their coach has a full squad to select from. Unlike Benfica, AZ have yet to play in this Europa League campaign, so there is no competition-specific form string to lean on, and their league form line is currently unavailable. That makes their lineups today harder to project, but the depth and balance of their squad still allow for a coherent predicted XI.

With no prior Europa League fixtures this season, AZ’s expected approach is likely to be more cautious than Benfica’s, especially away in Lisbon. A compact defensive block, built around experienced centre-backs and a double pivot in midfield, looks probable, with pace and mobility in the attacking line to exploit transitions. Their predicted lineup today therefore focuses on defensive solidity at the back and flexible options in the final third.

AZ Alkmaar Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: R. Owusu-Oduro
DF: W. Goes; W. Hoedt; M. Chávez; D. Kasius
MF: J. Clasie; P. Koopmeiners; K. Smit; C. Stengs; V. Byskov
FW: J. Hornkamp

AZ’s predicted starting lineup is built from a well-stocked squad, even if there are no Europa League top scorers or assist leaders to highlight yet. In goal, R. Owusu-Oduro is a logical choice as the primary goalkeeper. The back line is expected to feature the experienced W. Hoedt alongside W. Goes in central defence, with M. Chávez and D. Kasius offering energy and one‑v‑one defending in the wide areas. This unit will be tasked with containing Benfica’s high-volume attack and limiting service into Pavlidis.

In midfield, veteran controller J. Clasie and all‑rounder P. Koopmeiners provide structure and distribution, while K. Smit and V. Byskov bring legs and pressing from deeper roles. C. Stengs, listed as a midfielder but naturally creative in advanced zones, is the standout attacking reference, likely to drift between lines and link with the lone striker. Up front, J. Hornkamp offers a strong central presence and finishing threat, supported off the bench by options such as M. Meerdink and Weslley Patati if AZ need to chase the game. This setup is designed to stay compact, absorb pressure and then break quickly into space vacated by Benfica’s adventurous full-backs.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no confirmed injuries or suspensions for either side ahead of this Europa League fixture, the impact of absences on the match dynamic is minimal. Both coaches can rotate based on tactical preference rather than necessity, which should raise the overall quality and intensity of the contest.

Benfica Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

AZ Alkmaar Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

On paper, this looks like a classic clash between an in-form, attack-minded home side and a more cautious, structurally solid visitor. Benfica’s recent Europa League numbers are striking: 19 goals scored in 6 matches, with an average of 3.2 per game and no failures to score. Their goal timings show they are dangerous in almost every phase of the match, with notable spikes between 31–45 minutes and 76–90 minutes. The predicted lineup, loaded with creators such as Rafa, H. Sudakov and J. Kamiński behind the prolific V. Pavlidis, suggests sustained pressure on AZ’s back line, especially down the flanks where A. Bah and S. El Karouani can push high.

AZ’s predicted XI, by contrast, is built to manage that pressure. The centre-back pairing of W. Hoedt and W. Goes will be central in dealing with Pavlidis’ movement and Benfica’s frequent crosses. The double pivot of J. Clasie and P. Koopmeiners should sit in front of the defence, blocking passing lanes into Rafa and forcing Benfica wide. In transition, C. Stengs and V. Byskov can exploit the spaces behind A. Bah and S. El Karouani, aiming early passes into J. Hornkamp. The key tactical battle will therefore be Benfica’s ability to pin AZ back and sustain attacks versus AZ’s capacity to break the press and use their midfield quality to get out.

Match Prediction and Verdict

The predictions model rates this as an almost perfectly balanced contest, assigning 33% to a Benfica win, 33% to a draw and 33% to an AZ Alkmaar victory. With no clear favourite from the probability data and no explicit goal projection, the safest expectation is for a tight, competitive match. However, Benfica’s superior recent Europa League record, heavy scoring output and strong home performances tilt the qualitative edge slightly in their favour, especially given AZ’s lack of current-season European sample.

Predicted Outcome: Benfica 2–1 AZ Alkmaar
With both sides at full strength and the probabilities evenly split, a narrow Benfica win aligns best with their attacking form and home advantage, while still respecting AZ’s capacity to score and keep the contest close.

How to Watch Benfica vs AZ Alkmaar Worldwide

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

• Spain: Local sports pay-TV channel / streaming platform
• UK: Major sports network or official UEFA Europa League rights holder
• USA / North America: Regional sports streaming service carrying UEFA Europa League
• South America: Continental sports broadcaster with UEFA rights
• MENA: Regional satellite sports network covering European competitions