Benfica vs Real Madrid preview, prediction, team news and head-to-head

• Over 2.5 goals

• Both teams to score

• Mbappe to score anytime

• Real Madrid to win

Just weeks after a remarkable clash in Lisbon, which saw goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin score with almost the final kick of a 4-2 win over the Spanish giants, Benfica and Real Madrid meet again in the Champions League with a place in the knockout stage on the line.

The Eagles finished 24th in the standings, securing qualification on goal difference. Across eight matches, they recorded three wins and five defeats, underlining an inconsistent but ultimately effective run.

Jose Mourinho's side have shown resilience in recent weeks, winning four of their last five matches in all competitions, alongside one draw. Their most recent outing saw them claim a hard-fought 2-1 victory away to Santa Clara, further boosting confidence ahead of this crucial tie.

Their home form has also been particularly encouraging, with Benfica consistently posing a threat to visiting sides at the Estadio da Luz. That advantage could prove vital against a Real Madrid side that have shown vulnerability on the road in Europe.

However, hosting the Champions League's most successful side looks a different beast. Madrid’s interim head coach, Alvaro Arbeloa, has begun to find his feet after a rocky start, and has now overseen four wins from their last five. Such a run is identical to Benfica’s form under Jose Mourinho, who will love nothing more than to get another one over a former team.

Their most recent outing saw Benfica claim a hard-fought 2-1 victory away to Santa Clara, further boosting confidence ahead of this crucial tie.

Benfica have won three of their four encounters with Madrid after last month's heroics (L1), but that was also just their fourth win in 26 matches against Liga teams (D8, L14). The reverse fixture defeat was Madrid’s only loss in their last ten UCL matches against Portuguese outfits (W8, D1).

Alexander Bah (cruciate ligament) has returned to training, although it looks too soon for him to start. Samuel Soares remains a doubt with a muscle problem, while Fredrik Aursnes is also set to miss out. 

Joao Veloso is also uncertain, and although Richard Rios has returned to training following a dislocated shoulder, he is expected not to feature.

For Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappe missed the 4-1 win over Real Sociedad, but Arbeloa has confirmed the forward is fit and could feature in this clash.

Raul Asencio is suspended after picking up a second yellow card in the previous meeting between the sides. Rodrygo will also miss out due to a two-match UEFA suspension following his red card.

Jude Bellingham is a major absentee for the visitors due to a hamstring injury, and Eder Militao remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from a tendon issue.

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

Alvaro Arbeloa’s men will be aware that they cannot afford to lose to Benfica twice in the same campaign and are expected to approach this first leg with greater control and tactical discipline, particularly away from home.

Their 4-2 defeat to Benfica in the previous meeting will still linger, having exposed weaknesses in defensive organisation and transition. However, Madrid’s superior goal difference and overall attacking quality suggest they remain a significant threat in this tie.

Correct score prediction: Benfica 1:3 Real Madrid