Juventus vs Benfica Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Women’s Champions League | League Phase
by Trystan Pugh ·
Updated
The 2025-26 UEFA Women's Champions League begins as Juventus host Benfica in the new league phase.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV & online: UK – Disney+ / US – Some matches are televised on CBS Sports Network & CBS Sports Golazo Network, while all matches can be streamed live on Paramount+
Juventus team news
Predicted XI (3-4-3): De Jong; Cascarino, Calligaris, Kullberg; Thomas, Brighton, Rosucci, Krumbiegel; Bonansea, Girelli, Cambiaghi
Unavailable: Proulx (Injured)
Questionable:
Benfica team news
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pauels; Amado, Gomes, Costa, Lund; Almeida, Gaspar; Davidson, Moller, Alves; Martin-Prieto
Unavailable: Borges (Injured), Salvador (Injured). Norton (Injured), Falcon (Injured)
Questionable:
Juventus vs Benfica prediction
Juventus gained direct entry into the league phase of the revamped UEFA Women's Champions League on account of winning Serie A Femminile last season, while they also clamed Coppa Italia glory to complete a domestic double.
The Italian side are featuring in the UWCL for the eighth straight season, with a 2021-22 quarter-final appearance their best showing to date. Last season saw them finish third behind Arsenal and Bayern Munich in Group C.
Benfica's best performance in this competition was also a last-eight appearance, which came on their most recent entry in 2023-24. They missed out in the qualifying rounds last season, but gained direct entry this time around after they were crowned Portuguese champions.
This looks to be a fairly competitive opener between two champions of their respective national leagues, but Juve just have a little extra in terms of quality in the attacking areas with the likes of Cristiana Girelli capable of making the difference. We're backing a home win.
Juventus vs Benfica tip: Juventus to win
