Hearts vs Benfica Preview & Prediction | 2026-27 UEFA Europa League | Third Qualifying Round
by Alex Lawes ·
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Heart of Midlothian, off the back of potentially creating history in May, are already seeking to salvage some hope as they take on Benfica in Edinburgh.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Cannot be streamed / USA – Cannot be streamed
Hearts vs Benfica prediction
After missing out on a first Scottish Premiership title since 1960, Hearts then lost manager Derek McInness and captain Lawrence Shankland to Rangers over the summer and their season is already in crisis this time around.
After a 6-0 loss on aggregate to Sturm Graz in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, Hearts suffered a 6-1 defeat to Benfica at Estadio da Luz in the first-leg of this UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie last week.
Marco Silva, replacing Jose Mourinho as Benfica boss, oversaw his side hammering St Gallen in their second qualifying round second-leg in Lisbon after a poor performance and a 2-1 defeat to St Gallen in the first-leg. Going away from home could therefore be seen as a challenge for the Portuguese giants but they are coming up against a Hearts side in major flux now and another comfortable Benfica victory is most likely.
Hearts vs Benfica tip: Benfica to win
