7M - Preview: Benfica vs Real Madrid - Prediction, Team News, Lineups

Benfica hosts Real Madrid at the iconic Estadio da Luz on Tuesday evening in what promises to be an enthralling first-leg encounter in the Champions League playoffs.

The Portuguese side will take heart from their remarkable 4-2 victory over Los Blancos in their last meeting, adding intrigue to this tie between two teams with contrasting recent performances.

Match Preview

This is a pivotal game for Benfica, who narrowly qualified for the playoff round on the final matchday of the league phase, facing one of the tournament's strongest opponents.

The Eagles finished 24th in the standings, securing their spot in the playoffs on goal difference after that dramatic win against Real Madrid. Throughout the eight matches, they recorded three wins and five defeats, indicating an inconsistent yet effective campaign.

While under the management of Jose Mourinho, the team has displayed resilience, winning four of their last five matches and sharing one draw. Their most recent game ended in a hard-fought 2-1 victory away at Santa Clara, further bolstering their confidence ahead of this important clash.

Benfica's home form has been particularly encouraging, consistently posing a challenge to visiting teams at Estadio da Luz. This advantage may prove crucial against a Real Madrid side that has shown vulnerability in away matches in Europe.

In the Champions League, Benfica scored 10 goals while conceding 12 during the league phase, highlighting their attacking capabilities and defensive weaknesses. Notably, their last five matches in the competition resulted in three wins and two defeats, demonstrating a tendency to avoid draws.

The standout moment of their campaign remains the 4-2 win over Real Madrid, showcasing their ability to exploit defensive frailties while rising to the occasion against top competition. They will aim to harness that same energy in this match to gain an advantage for the second leg.

For Real Madrid, the visitors arrive in Lisbon in good domestic form, having won four of their last five matches across competitions. Their most recent outing concluded with a convincing 4-1 victory against Real Sociedad, featuring two goals from Vinicius Junior in a strong attacking display.

While this result has boosted squad morale, their European form presents a more complex narrative. Madrid accumulated 15 points from eight matches in the league phase, finishing ninth with five wins and three defeats. Their attacking prowess is evident in their total of 21 goals, yet defensive lapses have led to 12 goals conceded, compromising some performances.

Recent Champions League outings have seen Real Madrid achieve two wins against three defeats, an unusually inconsistent run for a club of their stature. The prior 4-2 loss to Benfica still resonates, having revealed vulnerabilities in their defensive organization. However, Madrid's superior goal difference and attacking quality suggest they remain a formidable opponent in this fixture.

Alvaro Arbeloa's side understands the importance of avoiding a second defeat to Benfica this season and is expected to approach the first leg with enhanced control and tactical discipline, particularly in away games.

The last encounter between these teams featured thrilling moments, and considering both sides' attacking talents and defensive frailties, another open match could be anticipated.

Possible Starting Lineups:

Benfica: Trubin; Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl; Barreiro, Barrenechea; Prestianni, Sudakov, Schjelderup; Pavlidis.

Real Madrid: Courtois; Carreras, Huijsen, Rudiger, Alexander-Arnold; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Valverde; Vinicius, Mbappe, Guler.

Prediction: Benfica 0-2 Real Madrid

The previous encounter underscored the potential for an open match, but this time, Real Madrid is likely to adopt a more controlled and purposeful approach, especially given the stakes. Nights like these require authority, and Madrid's experience in high-pressure situations typically shines through.

With their pedigree in decisive fixtures and ability to capitalize on defensive errors, Los Blancos are well-equipped to take charge and exploit any lapses from Benfica.