Benfica vs Real Madrid Predictions

Match info: UEFA Champions League Playoff

Venue: Estadio da Luz, Lisbon

Date: Tuesday, 17^th February2026

Time: 9 pm Nigerian time

Benfica welcome Real Madrid to the iconic Estadio da Luz on Tuesday evening for what promises to be a captivating Champions League playoff first-leg encounter.

The Portuguese side will take confidence from their stunning 4-2 victory over Los Blancos in the previous meeting, a result that adds intrigue to a tie between two sides with contrasting recent form.

Head-to-head:

• Benfica have won three of the four UEFA Champions League meetings between the two teams.

• Real Madrid recorded just one victory.

• Benfica scored 15 goals in those games.

• Real Madrid hit the back of the net on eight occasions.

• Benfica are undefeated in their last five games.

• Real Madrid are on a three-match winning streak.

• The Eagles have won their last two meetings with Los Blancos.

Form:

• Benfica in the Champions League: L-W-W-L-W

• Benfica in all competitions: W-W-D-W-W

• Real Madrid in the Champions League: L-W-L-W-L

• Real Madrid in all competitions: W-L-W-W-W

Team News:

• Benfica will miss out on the services of Richard Rios and Fredrik Aursnes. They are injured. Olivio Tome is suspended. Alexander Bah, Samuel Soares and Joao Veloso might also miss out due to a lack of fitness.

• Jude Bellingham, Eder Militao and Rodrygo are injured, hence keeping them out of action for Real Madrid. Raul Asencio is suspended.

Player(s) to watch:

• Vangelis Pavlidis is coming in after scoring a crucial goal for Benfica in the previous game, which also helped them secure three points. He performed really well against Real Madrid during the league phase and will be keen to come up with another top performance. He is surely going to cause issues for the opponent’s defence.

• Kylian Mbappe was not part of the playing XI in their previous league game, but will be back in action for their UEFA Champions League match. He has been one of the most consistent players for Real Madrid this season and is going to be a constant thorn for Benfica in the upcoming fixture.