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Match Prediction

Benfica vs Real Madrid Prediction

Benfica

€355.50m

28 Jan15:00
4 : 2

Real Madrid

€1.35bn

Preview

Benfica vs Real Madrid Prediction UEFA Champions League

Benfica vs Real Madrid Prediction: Tactical Insights and Betting Tips

The Estádio da Luz in Lisbon is set for a compelling UEFA Champions League encounter as Benfica welcome Real Madrid on January 28, 2026, with kickoff at 20:00 GMT. If you’re looking for a Benfica vs Real Madrid prediction that blends tactical analysis and betting tips, you’re in the right place. Both sides have storied European histories, but with different trajectories in recent years, this match promises intrigue—and perhaps a sprinkle of unpredictability.

Team News, Form, and Tactical Approaches

This fixture is a rarity—these teams haven’t squared off in an official match since 1965. For the trivia fans: Benfica have never lost at home to Real Madrid, whether in friendlies or competitive games. But history can only carry you so far, especially when Real Madrid are in town.

  • Benfica: Under the experienced José Mourinho, Benfica are enduring a tough Champions League campaign, sitting 29th with just 6 points from seven matches. Their recent form is a mixed bag—two wins and three losses in their last five European outings. Mourinho, never one to mince words, has pointed out the team’s struggles in turning possession and build-up play into goals. He cited a match where Benfica entered the Juventus penalty area 34 times without scoring—a stat that would make any striker lose sleep.
  • Injury List: Benfica are missing several key players, including Dodi Lukebakio (broken ankle), Alexander Bah (cruciate ligament), and Richard Ríos (shoulder). There’s some good news: Rafa Silva is back, but after a long layoff, expectations are tempered.
  • Tactics: Expect Mourinho’s Benfica to be compact and disciplined, focusing on defensive solidity and quick transitions. Their high pressing can be effective, but the big question is whether they can finally convert chances into goals.
  • Real Madrid: The Spanish giants arrive in Lisbon riding a wave of momentum. With Álvaro Arbeloa now at the helm, Los Blancos have won three in a row and sit 3rd in the Champions League league phase, with 15 points and a healthy goal difference of 19:8. Their recent record: three wins and two defeats in Europe.
  • Injury List: Real Madrid are without Éder Militão and Ferland Mendy, both long-term absentees. Antonio Rüdiger is close to a return, while Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected back in early February. Rodrygo and Brahim Díaz are available, and Tchouaméni returns from suspension.
  • Tactics: Arbeloa’s Madrid are tactically flexible, often morphing between a 4.35-3 and more experimental shapes in possession. Their high press and technical quality in midfield—especially when Alexander-Arnold drifts inside—mean they can suffocate opponents and create a flurry of chances.

On paper, Real Madrid’s squad value (€1.35bn) dwarfs Benfica’s (€355.50m), and the predicted ball possession (65% for Madrid) suggests a game played mostly in Benfica’s half. But as Benfica’s famous 2022 win over Ajax proved, odds and history can sometimes be rewritten.

Benfica vs Real Madrid Prediction: Stats, Odds, and Best Bets

Let’s dive into the numbers and see what our AI has to say about this Benfica vs Real Madrid prediction. The betting markets heavily favor the visitors, with odds of 1.83 for a Real Madrid win, 4.35 for a draw, and a long 4.35 for a home triumph. The smart money? It’s on goals.

  1. Over 2.5 Goals: Our AI model gives this the highest confidence (5.7/10) and odds of 1.5. Both teams have shown attacking intent, but Madrid’s firepower and Benfica’s leaky defense suggest at least three goals could be on the cards.
  2. 1x2 Prediction: The most probable result, according to our projections, is an away win (Real Madrid), with a trust level of 5.6/10. The final score prediction? A convincing 0:3 for Madrid, with the Spanish side expected to dominate both possession and chances (17 shots for Madrid, 11 for Benfica).
  3. Other Stats: Expect Madrid to rack up 6 shots on target to Benfica’s 2, and corners to follow a similar pattern (6-2 in favor of Madrid). Even the yellow card count is expected to be polite—just one apiece.

If you’re searching for Benfica vs Real Madrid betting tips, here’s the summary:

  • Back Real Madrid to win (odds 1.83)—they have the form, the talent, and the tactical edge.
  • Over 2.5 goals (odds 1.5) is the value play, with both teams likely to create chances and Madrid expected to do most of the scoring.
  • Scoreline tip: 0:3 in favor of Real Madrid, with a half-time lead of 0:1.

Head to Head and Final Thoughts

While Benfica have never lost at home to Real Madrid, the weight of history might not be enough this time. The head to head stats are sparse, but all signs point to a dominant Madrid performance. Mourinho’s men will need more than grit—they’ll need goals, and plenty of them, to upset the odds.

In summary, our Benfica vs Real Madrid prediction leans heavily toward the Spanish giants. Expect Real Madrid’s class to shine through, but don’t rule out a moment of magic from Benfica—after all, European nights in Lisbon have delivered surprises before. For punters and fans alike, this one’s set to be a fascinating watch.

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AI Predictions
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Best Tip

The best betting football prediction for Benfica vs Real Madrid

O2.5 -200

At least 3 goals will be scored in the match with odds of -200
5/10

1x2 Tip

2 -120

Real Madrid is expected to win with odds of -120
5/10

Total Goals

Over 2.5 -200

At least 3 goals will be scored in the match
5/10

Both Teams To Score

No 175

At least one team is not expected to score
1/10

Bet Builder Tip

X2&O1.5 -238

Away win/draw and over 1.5 goals
8/10
Both Teams To Score

Half-Time Score

0:1

Correct Score

0:3

Stats Predictions

0.74
xG
2.24
35%
Ball Possession
65%
11
Total Shots
17
2
Shots on Goal
6
4
Shots Off Goal
5
2
Corners
6
1
Yellow Cards
1

Average / Match

2.8
Total Goals
4
1.9
Goals Scored
2.8
0.9
Goals Against
1.2
53%
Possession
52%
15.1
Total Shots
17.8
5.5
Shots on Goal
7
5.9
Shots off Goal
5.7
11
Fouls
10.5
6.2
Corners
6.8
1.3
Offsides
0.6
0.8
Yellow Cards
1.6
490
Total Passes
539

Overview Last 10 Matches

6
Wins
8
8
Over 1.5 Goals
10
5
Over 2.5 Goals
7
5
Over 3.5 Goals
5
3
Both Teams Scored
7
0
Unexpected Wins
0
0
Unexpected Loses
1

Head to Head

Benfica
0 - 0 - 0
Real Madrid

Profile time Recent Matches of Benfica

01 Feb Tondela Tondela.
-
Benfica. Benfica
28 JanW Benfica Benfica.
4:2
Real Madri. Real Madrid
25 JanW Benfica Benfica.
4:0
Estrela. Estrela
21 JanL Juventus Juventus.
2:0
Benfica. Benfica
17 JanW Rio Ave Rio Ave.
0:2
Benfica. Benfica
14 JanL FC Porto FC Porto.
1:0
Benfica. Benfica
07 JanL Benfica Benfica.
1:3
Braga. Braga
03 JanW Benfica Benfica.
3:1
Estoril. Estoril
28 DecD Braga Braga.
2:2
Benfica. Benfica
22 DecW Benfica Benfica.
1:0
Famalicao. Famalicao

Profile time Recent Matches of Real Madrid

01 FebReal Madrid Real Madri.
-
Vallecano.Vallecano
28 JanLBenfica Benfica.
4:2
Real Madri.Real Madrid
24 JanWVillarreal Villarreal.
0:2
Real Madri.Real Madrid
20 JanWReal Madrid Real Madri.
6:1
Monaco.Monaco
17 JanWReal Madrid Real Madri.
2:0
Levante.Levante
14 JanLAlbacete Albacete.
3:2
Real Madri.Real Madrid
11 JanLBarcelona Barcelona.
3:2
Real Madri.Real Madrid
08 JanWAtl. Madrid Atl. Madri.
1:2
Real Madri.Real Madrid
04 JanWReal Madrid Real Madri.
5:1
Betis.Betis
20 DecWReal Madrid Real Madri.
2:0
Sevilla.Sevilla

World - UEFA Champions League World - UEFA Champions League

Team Matches Goals Points
1 Arsenal Arsenal7
20-2
21
2 Bayern München Bayern7
20-7
18
3 Real Madrid Real Madrid7
19-8
15
4 Liverpool Liverpool7
14-8
15
5 Tottenham Tottenham7
15-7
14
6 Paris Saint Germain Paris Saint7
20-10
13
7 Newcastle Newcastle7
16-6
13
8 Chelsea Chelsea7
14-8
13
9 Barcelona Barcelona7
18-13
13
10 Sporting CP Sporting CP7
14-9
13
11 Manchester City Manchester7
13-9
13
12 Atletico Madrid Atletico7
16-13
13
13 Atalanta Atalanta7
10-9
13
14 Inter Inter7
13-7
12
15 Juventus Juventus7
14-10
12
16 Borussia Dortmund Borussia7
19-15
11
17 Galatasaray Galatasaray7
9-9
10
18 Qarabag Qarabag7
13-15
10
19 Marseille Marseille7
11-11
9
20 Bayer Leverkusen Bayer7
10-14
9
21 Monaco Monaco7
8-14
9
22 PSV Eindhoven PSV Eindhoven7
15-14
8
23 Athletic Club Athletic Club7
7-11
8
24 Olympiakos Piraeus Olympiakos7
8-13
8
25 Napoli Napoli7
7-12
8
26 FC Copenhagen FC Copenhagen7
11-17
8
27 Club Brugge KV Club Brugge KV7
12-17
7
28 Bodo/Glimt Bodo/Glimt7
12-14
6
29 Benfica Benfica7
6-10
6
30 Pafos Pafos7
4-10
6
31 Union St. Gilloise Union St.7
7-17
6
32 Ajax Ajax7
7-19
6
33 Eintracht Frankfurt Eintracht7
10-19
4
34 Slavia Praha Slavia Praha7
4-15
3
35 Villarreal Villarreal7
5-15
1
36 Kairat Almaty Kairat Almaty7
5-19
1
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