NEC Nijmegen vs Benfica Predicted Lineups: Team News for UEFA Europa League

NEC Nijmegen host Benfica at Goffertstadion in the UEFA Europa League League Stage – 7, with both sides looking to position themselves strongly in the early league round phase. Standings are still level on points across the board, but the ranking list places NEC Nijmegen 24th and Benfica 4th in the overall League Round table, underlining the different expectations surrounding these two clubs.

While NEC Nijmegen are entering continental competition without prior league-stage minutes, Benfica arrive with serious momentum. Their broader recent record in this Europa League campaign shows four wins, one draw and one defeat from six fixtures, with 19 goals scored and only 6 conceded. That attacking power will heavily shape the predicted lineups and expected starting lineup discussion ahead of kickoff, especially with several Benfica players already among the competition’s top scorers and assist providers.

With official team sheets not yet released, this preview focuses on analytically built predicted lineups, using current squads, early Europa League stats and tactical trends. The fixture may be NEC’s first big test at this level in the season, while Benfica will be expected to control proceedings and continue their strong form.

NEC Nijmegen Team News & Expected Lineups Today

There are no listed injuries or suspensions for NEC Nijmegen, so the coaching staff should have a full squad available for selection. With no significant absences reported, the focus will be on how they balance respect for Benfica’s attacking strength with the need to impose themselves at home in Nijmegen.

Given they are yet to play in this Europa League league stage, there is no form string to lean on, but it is reasonable to expect a cautious, hard‑working setup. The manager is likely to build an expected side around experienced figures such as B. Nuytinck at the back and creative veterans like T. Chery and D. Tadić further forward, supported by energetic younger legs in midfield. At home, NEC will still look to use transitions and wide areas, but the overall approach should be compact and disciplined.

NEC Nijmegen Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: G. Crettaz
DF: B. Nuytinck, P. Sandler, P. Schuurs, T. Storm
MF: T. Chery, D. Geiger, Jamiro Monteiro, D. Nejašmić
FW: D. Tadić, W. Willumsson

This predicted lineup leans on NEC’s most experienced spine. G. Crettaz is the logical choice in goal, with B. Nuytinck anchoring a back line that also features P. Sandler and P. Schuurs as strong central options, plus T. Storm as a flexible defensive piece who can operate wider and help deal with Benfica’s dangerous flanks.

In midfield, T. Chery and Jamiro Monteiro bring creativity and composure, while D. Geiger and D. Nejašmić add running power and defensive coverage. Up front, the expected starting lineup pairs D. Tadić and W. Willumsson, two attackers capable of dropping between the lines, linking play and carrying a threat on set pieces. With no NEC players among the Europa League’s early top scorers or assist leaders, the emphasis will be on collective structure and using home advantage to stay in the game.

Benfica Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Benfica also arrive without any listed injuries or suspensions, meaning no significant absences reported ahead of this trip to Nijmegen. That gives the coaching staff the luxury of rotating or going full strength, but given the league stage context and their high ranking (4th in the League Round table), a strong side is expected.

Their league form string of LWWDWW, combined with a last‑five record of 18 goals scored and just 4 conceded, highlights a team in excellent attacking rhythm. For lineups today, Benfica are likely to lean heavily on their Europa League top scorers and assist providers, with V. Pavlidis, Rafa and A. Schjelderup all central to their plans. The team has frequently lined up in attacking shapes, with 4‑2‑3‑1 and 4‑1‑3‑2 both used multiple times in this competition, underlining their intent to dominate the ball and territory.

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 standout choice from a deep goalkeeping group. At the back, A. Bah and S. El Karouani offer energy and width from full‑back, while C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo provide left‑ and right‑sided balance in central defence. Both Lenglet and Araújo have already contributed goals in this Europa League campaign, adding set‑piece threat to Benfica’s arsenal.

The predicted midfield blend is built around control and progression. Joāo Palhinha offers ball‑winning presence in front of the defence, while E. Barrenechea adds distribution and positional intelligence. Further ahead, H. Sudakov and J. Kamiński are both listed among the competition’s top assist contributors, underlining their creative importance between the lines and in wide pockets. Rafa, another top scorer and assister with 2 goals and 1 assist, should float in advanced midfield areas, linking with V. Pavlidis.

Up front, V. Pavlidis is the clear focal point. With 5 goals and 1 assist in just 3 Europa League appearances, he is currently one of the competition’s most lethal forwards and also appears in the top yellow card rankings, reflecting his aggressive, combative style. Around him, Benfica can also call on the likes of D. Lukebakio, J. Durán, G. Prestianni and A. Schjelderup, all of whom feature prominently in the top scorers and top assists lists, giving the Portuguese side exceptional depth in attacking positions even if they start from the bench.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no injuries or suspensions recorded for either side, squad availability should not distort the tactical plans or the predicted lineups. Both coaches can select from their strongest groups, making this a pure test of structure, quality and in‑game management rather than squad depletion.

NEC Nijmegen Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Benfica Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

On paper, this matchup pits NEC Nijmegen’s likely compact, experience‑led structure against one of the most explosive attacking units in the early Europa League rounds. NEC’s predicted back line, marshalled by B. Nuytinck and supported by P. Sandler and P. Schuurs, will have to cope with the movement and finishing of V. Pavlidis, who has already scored 5 times in the competition. The presence of overlapping full‑backs A. Bah and S. El Karouani means NEC’s wide players and midfielders must track runners diligently to avoid overloads in the channels.

In midfield, NEC’s quartet of T. Chery, Jamiro Monteiro, D. Geiger and D. Nejašmić will be tested by the control and variety offered by Joāo Palhinha, E. Barrenechea, H. Sudakov and J. Kamiński. Benfica’s Europa League numbers show a side that scores freely (19 goals in 6 matches) and spreads creative responsibility across several players: Sudakov, Kamiński, L. Barreiro and A. Bah all appear in the top assists charts, while Rafa and A. Schjelderup contribute both goals and assists. That multi‑source threat makes it hard for NEC to focus on just one danger man.

For NEC, transitions will be crucial. With D. Tadić and W. Willumsson expected to start, supported by T. Chery and Monteiro, they have the technical quality to exploit any Benfica defensive lapses, especially if the Portuguese full‑backs push high. However, Benfica’s broader form indices – including a last‑five attacking index of 100% and an average of 3.6 goals per game – suggest the visitors are likely to dominate possession and territory. NEC’s defensive discipline and set‑piece organisation will therefore be central to any chance of an upset.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Outcome models rate this as an evenly balanced contest in pure percentage terms, with 33% assigned to a home win, 33% to a draw and 33% to an away win. That reflects the early‑stage uncertainty in the League Round rather than a lack of confidence in Benfica’s quality. When factoring in Benfica’s strong league form string of LWWDWW, their 19:6 goal difference across six Europa League fixtures, and the presence of multiple top scorers and assist leaders, the Portuguese side still look the more likely to impose themselves.

NEC Nijmegen’s home advantage at Goffertstadion and their clean disciplinary and fitness slate give them a platform to compete, but without established Europa League form or standout scorers at this stage, they may struggle to match Benfica’s firepower over 90 minutes. A competitive game is expected, with NEC working hard to stay compact, yet Benfica’s depth in attacking zones – led by V. Pavlidis and Rafa – should tilt the balance their way, even if the official lineups today might slightly alter personnel.

Predicted Outcome: NEC Nijmegen 1–2 Benfica
With no specific goal forecast in the data, a narrow Benfica victory aligns best with their superior attacking record and recent form, while still respecting NEC’s home resilience.

How to Watch NEC Nijmegen 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 streaming platform
• UK: Major sports broadcaster or official UEFA streaming partner
• USA / North America: National soccer network or subscription streaming service
• South America: Regional sports network with UEFA rights
• MENA: Pan-regional sports broadcaster or digital platform