Real Madrid vs Benfica Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | Knockout Playoffs

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This game will be overshadowed by the controversy brought about by allegations of racism made by Vinicius Junior about Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni last week.

Kick-off date/time: 25 February 2026 at 8:00 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised

How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+

Real Madrid preview: Defeat at the weekend

In the first-leg of this tie, Brazil international attacker Vinicius Junior produced a brilliant strike to give Real Madrid a 1-0 win at Estadio da Luz, with the goal overshadowed in the immediate aftermath by a complaint of racism levelled against Prestianni.

After that victory, Madrid, who appeared to be finding some form and fluency under the management of Alvaro Arbeloa, then turned in a performance that saw them knocked off top spot in La Liga as they succumbed to a 2-1 loss to Osasuna in Pamplona.

Benfica preview: Stubborn but lacklustre

The conduct of Benfica as a club and by manager Jose Mourinho when discussing the allegations of racism has left a lot to be desired in terms of reason, decorum and decency – even with the investigation still ongoing into the alleged abuse.

The Portuguese giants did continue their unbeaten Liga Portugal campaign at the weekend with a 3-0 defeat of AVS but the famous Mourinho-inspired caution and defensive mentality leaves them seven points adrift of league leading FC Porto.

Real Madrid team news: Mbappe out

Real Madrid are dealing with fresh injury concerns for this one as both Dean Huijsen and Dani Ceballos have now picked up issues, while Rodrygo is missing through suspension. The big news, though, has broken within 24 hours of the clash as key man Kylian Mbappe is now a confirmed absentee due to a knee injury, perhaps leading to Gonzalo Garcia starting up-front for the hosts.

Predicted XI (4-1-2-1-2): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Rudiger, Carreras; Tchouameni; Valverde, Camavinga; Guler; Vinicius, G. Garcia

Unavailable: Huijsen (Injured), Ceballos (Injured), Bellingham (Injured), Rodrygo (Suspended), Mbappe (Injured)

Questionable: Militao (Injured)

Benfica team news: Provisional ban for Prestianni

UEFA have announced that Gianluca Prestianni has been handed a provisional one-match ban for last week’s incident with an investigation still ongoing into the versatile Argentinian attacker.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl; Aursnes, Barreiro; Lukebakio, Sudakov, Schjelderup; Pavlidis

Unavailable: Soares (Injured), Wynder (Injured), Veloso (Injured), Prestianni (Suspended)

Questionable: 

Real Madrid vs Benfica prediction

Real Madrid have a brilliant squad but the latest era of the so-called ‘galacticos’ has been underwhelming in terms of their performance level throughout this season. However, as is always the case, they remain in the fight both domestically and in Europe. Benfica will be aware that they can limit a Madrid side that often lack fluency and cohesion in the final third and a low-scoring, fine margin affair is one that will suit them – but it may also suit Madrid, too, and so would seem a good bet.

Real Madrid vs Benfica Tip: Under 2.5 goals