Benfica vs Bayer Leverkusen Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
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Portuguese giants Benfica continue the league phase of their UEFA Champions League campaign with the visit of an entertaining Bayer Leverkusen side to Estadio da Luz.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Benfica preview: Strong Benfica
Jose Mourinho is at the helm of a Benfica side that are trying to build themselves into be physically stronger and steadier, making themselves harder to play against after beginning their league phase with a 3-2 defeat to Qarabag in Lisbon.
The home team have found some form after the October international break, though, as they come into this one on the back of an impressive 3-0 hammering of Vitoria Guimaraes at Estadio Dom Afonso Henriques at the weekend.
Bayer Leverkusen preview: Entertaining Leverkusen
With former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag sacked after the opening couple of weeks of the campaign, Bayer Leverkusen have been a bit improved under the management of Kasper Hjulmand, albeit they are far too open.
Their most recent outing saw them beaten by a rotated Bayern Munich side by three goals to nil at the Allianz Arena at the weekend with their most recent UEFA Champions League outing seeing them beaten 7-2 by Paris Saint-Germain.
Benfica team news: A few issues
Benfica are dealing with a few injury issues for this week as defender Alexander Bah remains sidelined alongside Manu Silva and experienced versatile attacker Bruma.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Trubin; Aursnes, Otamendi, Araujo, Dahl; Barrenechea, Rios, Barreiro; Sudakov, Pavlidis, Lukebakio
Unavailable: Bah (Injured), M. Silva (Injured), Bruma (Injured)
Questionable:
Bayer Leverkusen team news: Several issues
Bayer Leverkusen have several injury issues for this one as experienced Lucas Vazquez remains sidelined alongside summer signing Ezequiel Fernandez, whilst Germany international midfielder Robert Andrich is missing through suspension.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Flekken; Tapsoba, Bade, Quansah; Arthur, Garcia, Hofmann Grimaldo; Poku, Kofane; Schick
Unavailable: Tape (Injured), Andrich (Injured), Fernandez (Injured), Vazquez (Injured), Tella (Injured)
Questionable:
Benfica vs Bayer Leverkusen prediction
Benfica have found some form of late, with goals going in and a few clean sheets on the bounce, too. They are one of the few teams who are yet to have collected a point in the league phase thus far. Leverkusen head to Estadio da Luz with a very open style of football that appears ideally suited for a Mourinho-led home team to batten down the hatches and do a job on, especially in the Portuguese capital.
Benfica vs Bayer Leverkusen Tip: Double chance – Benfica to win or draw
