Benfica vs Qarabag Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | League Phase
This one does appear to be a bit of a mis-match on paper as Portuguese giants Benfica welcome Azeri champions Qarabag to Estadio da Luz in Lisbon this midweek.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – CBS Sports
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Benfica preview: Strong Benfica
Over the summer, Benfica reached the round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup and they have once again undergone a bit of surgery to their squad as they seek to re-establish themselves at the top of the Portuguese Primeira Liga, ahead of city rivals Sporting CP.
The home team head into this one on the back of a frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Santa Clara at the weekend. That leaves them sitting fourth in the table already, behind Porto, Sporting and Moreirense, albeit with a game in hand.
Qarabag preview: Punching above their weight
Qarabag are in their second ever UEFA Champions League campaign, having made the group stages of the 2017/18 campaign, where they managed to collect two points from draws against Atletico Madrid, suffering four defeats to Roma and Chelsea.
The dominant force of Azeri football, Qarabag have reached the league phase of this season’s UEFA Champions League by defeating Shelbourne and Shkendija with ease, before then edging themselves past Hungarian champions Ferencvaros.
Benfica team news: No Lukebakio
Benfica made the impressive signing of Dodi Lukebakio before the end of the summer transfer window, but the former Sevilla attacker remains sidelined for this UEFA Champions League opener.
Predicted XI (4-4-2): Trubin; Araujo, A. Silva, Otamendi, Dahl; Aursnes, Rios, Barrenechea, Schjelderup; Ivanovic, Pavlidis
Unavailable: Bah (Injured), Dedic (Injured), M. Silva (Injured), Lukebakio (Injured), Bruma (Injured)
Questionable:
Qarabag team news: Fully fit
It doesn’t appear as though Qarabag have no fresh injury concerns and so the Azeri outfit will be able to name their strongest eleven as they make the trip to the Portuguese capital city.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Kochalski; Silva, Mustafadze, Medina, Cafarguliyev; Bicalho, Jankovic; Andrade, Kady, Zoubir; Axundadze
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Benfica vs Qarabag prediction
Benfica will be expected to win this and win it comfortably. However, former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Bruno Lage has been coming under increasing pressure due to a lack of consistent performance level. Qarabag, as was the case in qualification, like to try and play quite attacking football on the front foot. It should therefore be quite an entertaining watch, albeit Benfica must surely come out on top at Estadio da Luz.
Benfica vs Qarabag Tip: Benfica to win & over 2.5 goals
