Benfica vs Napoli Prediction

📢 What can we expect from the clash between Benfica and Napoli in the 6th round of the Champions League? Both teams come into this match in excellent form, having gone five games unbeaten. While Napoli boast a stronger squad, Benfica gain a significant advantage from the support at their home ground, Estádio da Luz. All these factors set the stage for what promises to be a fascinating encounter.

Head-to-Head

📢 The head-to-head history between Benfica and Napoli includes just 2 matches over the past 10 years, when both teams were drawn in the same group during the 2016/17 Champions League season. Back then, the Italian side claimed victory in both encounters. However, a lot of time has passed since, and the squads have undergone significant changes, rendering those results largely irrelevant for the upcoming clash.

Benfica Lisbon Team Overview

🔴 Benfica are performing fairly well in the Portuguese league. After 13 rounds, the team remains unbeaten, though five draws have kept them in third place, trailing league leaders Porto by eight points. Last weekend, the Eagles hosted Sporting, who sit in second, and delivered a strong performance but had to settle for a 1-1 draw, missing the chance to close the gap.

⚪ In the Champions League, the situation is much more challenging. After five matches, Benfica have accumulated only 3 points and sit in 30th place in the standings. They had a particularly poor start with four consecutive losses. However, they managed to break this negative streak in the previous round by confidently defeating a weakened Ajax in Amsterdam (2-0), controlling the match throughout. Their chances for the playoffs are still alive, as they trail the top-24 zone by just three points. However, Benfica cannot afford any slip-ups now—any loss of points could be fatal.

Napoli Team Overview

🔵 While Benfica remain unbeaten over their last five games (with 3 wins and 2 draws), Napoli have secured five victories in the same period. It's worth highlighting the caliber of their opponents: the reigning Italian champions faced three formidable challengers. Last weekend, the Partenopei delivered a strong performance against Juventus, who have noticeably improved under a new manager. Napoli allowed the Turin side very few chances (opponent's xG was just 0.34) and deservedly won 2-1.

⚪ In Serie A, Napoli sit in second place after 14 rounds, but their Champions League campaign started on a shaky note. In five matches, Napoli have accumulated only 7 points and were outside the top 24 before the last round. However, in their match against Qarabag on November 25, the Italian side played one of their best games in the competition. The 2-0 scoreline might seem modest, but their dominance on the pitch was clear.

Latest news

Benfica Lisbon

📣 Benfica's head coach Jose Mourinho, after the home draw with Sporting (1-1), stated that the team faltered at the start but managed to regroup: "After the 30th minute, the game changed. We were too soft against Sporting and too hard on ourselves. We started poorly, conceded a goal... but then came an excellent reaction, and the last 10-15 minutes of the first half were a precursor to what happened in the second."

🚫 Benfica are facing some squad issues. Dodi Lukebakio is out long-term due to a fractured ankle and is expected to return by the end of March 2026. Henrique Araujo should recover by mid-December following a muscle injury. Alexander Bah and Bruma are also doubtful; both are undergoing rehabilitation for serious injuries (cruciate ligaments and Achilles tendon), and their availability will be determined closer to the match.

Napoli

📣 Napoli head coach Antonio Conte expressed his gratitude to the team following their 2-1 victory over Juventus, highlighting their dedication amidst a severe squad shortage: "These guys deserve all the praise—we can only thank them. In this time of extreme difficulty and with so few players available, we are achieving incredible things. Everyone who steps onto the pitch plays with immense character and responsibility, and that fills me with pride."

🚫 Napoli face more injury issues than Benfica. Alex Meret and Kevin De Bruyne are expected to return by mid-January due to a fractured foot and a thigh injury, respectively. Billy Gilmour and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa are also expected back around the same time as they recover from muscle injuries. Stanislav Lobotka should be fit to return from his thigh injury by the end of December. Miguel Gutiérrez is set to make his comeback in mid-December. Romelu Lukaku remains a doubt as he continues his recovery from a thigh injury.

⚽️ Goal Prediction

⚽️ Goal Prediction

While both teams exhibit solid defensive play in their domestic leagues, they seem to lack the same reliability in the Champions League. In the first five rounds, Benfica have conceded 8 goals, while Napoli have let in even more with 9. Both teams prefer to play from a position of strength. In this context, betting on both teams to score (yes) appears to be the most logical option.

🚩 Corner Prediction

For those interested in set-piece betting, consider the option of under 10.5 corners. This bet consistently hits in matches involving both Benfica and Napoli. In Benfica's last six home games, no more than ten corners have been taken, and Napoli have maintained a similar trend for ten consecutive matches across all competitions. It's unlikely that the upcoming game will be an exception.