Ajax vs Benfica Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
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Ajax are a shadow of their former selves and they are badly struggling in this season’s UEFA Champions League ahead of welcoming fellow strugglers Benfica to Amsterdam.
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Ajax preview: Woeful Ajax
Ajax have started the 2025/26 league phase of the UEFA Champions League with four defeats from four, having scored just one goal and conceded a rather staggering 14 goals in those four matches as they sit rock-bottom in the 36-team table.
Despite a change in management over the November international break, with Johnny Heitinga having been replaced by Fred Grim on an interim basis, things haven’t improved for the Dutch giants, beaten 2-1 by NEC Nijmegen at home at the weekend.
Benfica preview: Mourinho’s Benfica
The only other team to yet earn a point in the UEFA Champions League thus far are Portuguese giants Benfica. The Lisbon giants have performed a bit better than Ajax but they have remained woeful on the continent.
Having begun with a 3-2 defeat to Qarabag at Estadio da Luz in mid-September, Jose Mourinho was appointed Benfica boss. They most recently defeated Atletico CP by two goals to nil in the fourth round of the Taca de Portugal the other day.
Ajax team news: Couple of injuries
The hosts are dealing with a couple of confirmed injury absentees this week as experienced midfielder Branco van den Boomen remains sidelined alongside former Watford winger Steven Berghuis.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pasveer; Gaaei, Sutalo, Baas, Alders; Regeer, Taylor; Edvardsen, Gloukh, Godts; Weghorst
Unavailable: Van den Boomen (Injured), Berghuis (Injured)
Questionable: Gaaei (Injured), Rosa (Injured)
Benfica team news: No Lukebakio
Star summer signing Dodi Lukebakio, who joined from Sevilla before the close of the window, has suffered a broken ankle and he is now sidelined alongside the likes of Alexander Bah and Bruma.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Dedic, A. Silva, Araujo, Dahl; Rios, Barrenechea; Aursnes, Sudakov, Schjelderup; Pavlidis
Unavailable: Bah (Injured), Bruma (Injured), Lukebakio (Injured)
Questionable:
Ajax vs Benfica prediction
These are the two teams that remain pointless in the UEFA Champions League. However, that will have to change after their clash at the Johann Cruyff Arena. Ajax have been significantly worse domestically than Benfica have been in the Portuguese domestic competitions. As a result, especially with the experienced and pedigree within the two sides, Benfica will believe they have the upper hand ahead of their clash in the Dutch capital city.
Ajax vs Benfica Tip: Double chance – Benfica to win or draw
