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 carry strong early‑season European form into a decisive night. Although the official team sheets are not yet available, predicted lineups for today’s clash point to a fascinating contrast between a high‑scoring Portuguese giant and an OFI side that has yet to concede in this competition.

In the overall league stage ranking, Benfica are currently listed 4th in the League Round section, with 0 points from 0 games but an impressive recent continental form run of WWDWW. OFI sit 25th in the same League Round bracket, also on 0 points from 0 matches, yet they come in with a perfect form string of WW. With both clubs still effectively starting their league‑stage campaign on paper, this fixture carries weight for seeding and momentum going into the knockout phases, making the expected starting lineup choices particularly important.

Recent Europa League performance data underlines Benfica’s attacking firepower: 19 goals scored in 6 league fixtures, averaging 3.2 per game, and 18 goals in their last five in all competitions. OFI, by contrast, have built their early success on balance and defensive solidity, winning both of their Europa outings by an aggregate 5‑0. With predictions giving Benfica a 35% chance to win, a 35% chance of a draw and OFI a 30% chance, the market sees a relatively tight contest despite Benfica’s status as favourites.

Benfica Team News & Expected Lineups Today

No injuries or suspensions are reported for Benfica ahead of this Europa League tie, so the coaching staff are expected to have a full squad available. That gives them the freedom to rotate or to go full strength as they seek to consolidate their strong continental form, which in league competition reads LWWDWW, with 4 wins from 6 and 19 goals scored.

Tactically, Benfica have alternated between an attacking‑minded shape and a slightly more balanced setup in Europe, most frequently using a system built around a lone centre‑forward supported by mobile attacking midfielders. Given the stakes and the depth available, the expected approach is an aggressive, front‑foot game in Lisbon, with a predicted lineup today that leans heavily on the players who dominate the top scorers and top assists charts.

Benfica Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

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

This predicted starting lineup is built around the Europa League’s standout attacking figure so far: V. Pavlidis. The Greek forward has 5 goals and 1 assist in just 3 appearances, leading both the scoring and assists charts for Benfica and also appearing among the most‑booked players. He is expected to spearhead the attack, with Rafa operating just off him or from the half‑spaces. Rafa has 2 goals and 1 assist in 4 appearances, offering penetration between the lines and late runs into the box.

Out wide and in advanced midfield zones, J. Kamiński and H. Sudakov bring creativity and work rate. Both have 1 assist each in this Europa campaign and are key to linking midfield to attack. Behind them, the double pivot of E. Barrenechea and L. Barreiro provides structure and ball‑winning ability; each has been a regular in Europe, with Barreiro also contributing an assist. At the back, C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo have both already chipped in with a goal each from defence, underlining Benfica’s threat on set pieces, while A. Bah adds width and an assist from right‑back. A. Trubin is the expected first choice in goal, anchoring a side that concedes an average of just 1 goal per European league game despite their attacking bias.

OFI Team News & Expected Lineups Today

OFI also come into this fixture with no significant absences reported. That clean bill of health is a major boost for a squad that has started its Europa League league campaign with back‑to‑back wins and two clean sheets, reflected in a perfect WW form line and a defensive record of 0 goals conceded in 2 games.

With lineups today expected to mirror their previous European approach, OFI are likely to maintain a compact, organised structure built from a three‑man back line and strong wing support. Their 3‑4‑3 setup has been used in both Europa League matches so far, and there is little reason to deviate from a formula that has delivered a 3‑0 home win and a 2‑0 away victory. The emphasis will be on staying tight centrally, protecting the box, and then breaking quickly through their front three.

OFI Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

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

OFI’s predicted lineup keeps faith with the core that has produced 5 goals in 2 Europa games while maintaining a perfect defensive record. At the back, Borja González, D. Nikolaou and A. Poungouras form a physically strong and experienced trio, screened and supported by wing‑backs N. Marinakis and T. Androutsos. Central midfield pairing A. Bouchalakis and G. Kanellópoulos offers a mix of distribution and defensive work, crucial for resisting Benfica’s high‑tempo attacks.

In attack, the front three of Aitor Cantalapiedra, T. Fountas and K. Kodro provides a varied threat: Aitor as a creative wide forward, Fountas as a mobile second striker able to drop into pockets, and Kodro as a reference point in the box. OFI’s Europa League data so far shows goals spread across different time windows, with a particular spike late in games (40% of their goals after the 76th minute), underlining the importance of their bench and their capacity to punish Benfica if the hosts over‑commit.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With both squads reporting no injuries or suspensions, the impact of absences on this match is minimal. Instead, the tactical choices and rotation decisions from the two coaches will define the balance of the game, rather than enforced changes.

Benfica Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

OFI Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

This contest sets Benfica’s free‑scoring attack against OFI’s early‑stage defensive perfection. Benfica’s Europa League league‑stage numbers are striking: 19 goals in 6 games, with scoring threat spread across all phases of the match. They are particularly dangerous around the end of each half, with clusters of goals between 31–45 and 76–90 minutes. With Pavlidis, Rafa, A. Schjelderup, D. Lukebakio, J. Durán and G. Prestianni all on the scoresheet in this competition, the hosts can rotate heavily in the attacking line without losing quality, which is reflected in their strong attacking index in comparison metrics.

OFI, however, bring a very different profile. Their form index is perfect over two Europa matches, with a defensive index that outstrips Benfica’s, and they have yet to concede in the competition. Their goals for are more modest but efficient, with 5 scored and none allowed, and their 3‑4‑3 shape is designed to crowd central areas while still leaving outlets wide and up front. The key tactical battle will likely come in the half‑spaces: Benfica’s advanced midfielders and wide playmakers, such as Rafa and J. Kamiński, will try to drag OFI’s outside centre‑backs and wing‑backs out of position, while OFI will look to exploit any gaps left behind A. Bah and S. El Karouani on the counter.

Benfica’s recent league form string of LWWDWW suggests occasional vulnerability, particularly when they over‑commit and leave space between midfield and defence. OFI’s WW run and perfect clean‑sheet record underline their ability to manage games and stay compact. If Benfica’s predicted lineup manages to pin OFI back and maintain pressure, the depth of their attacking options and their set‑piece threat from Lenglet and Tomás Araújo should eventually tell. But if OFI can keep the game level into the final quarter, their strong late‑goal trend and counter‑attacking weapons in Aitor Cantalapiedra and T. Fountas could make this far closer than a typical big‑club vs outsider narrative.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Analysis of squad depth, attacking output and recent Europa League form still leans towards Benfica. They have more proven goal scorers, a broader spread of players contributing assists, and a home record in Europe that features heavy wins such as 6‑1. The comparison indices give Benfica a clear edge overall, with a higher overall comparison index and attacking index, even though OFI’s defensive index and Poisson‑style projections highlight their capacity to frustrate.

The win‑probability model rates this as a relatively balanced contest on paper, with Benfica at 35%, the draw at 35% and OFI at 30%. Even so, given Benfica’s firepower and home advantage, the most likely pattern is the hosts eventually breaking down OFI’s block, while the Greek side remain competitive and dangerous on transitions. Expect OFI to keep things tight early, but Benfica’s rotation of elite forwards and creative midfielders should be enough to edge a narrow victory.

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 pay‑TV channel or major streaming platform
• UK: Subscription sports broadcaster or official UEFA streaming partner
• USA / North America: National soccer network or dedicated streaming service
• South America: Regional cable sports network or OTT football platform
• MENA: Regional satellite sports network or licensed digital broadcaster