Benfica vs AZ Alkmaar Predicted Lineups: Team News and Match Preview

Benfica welcome AZ Alkmaar to Lisbon in the UEFA Europa League league stage, with both sides looking to make an early statement in “League Stage - 8”. The Portuguese side come into this tie with strong continental momentum, reflected by their recent European league form string of LWWDWW and an attacking output of 19 goals across six matches. Even though the official starting lineup is not yet known, the predicted lineups already underline how dangerous Benfica can be at home.

AZ Alkmaar arrive with a clean slate in this Europa League campaign. They are listed 3rd in the early league round standings with 0 points and 0 matches played, while Benfica sit 4th, also on 0 points but backed by far more recent European data. With both clubs starting level on points, this fixture gains importance as an early benchmark in the group-style league phase. For fans tracking lineups today, this clash offers a fascinating contrast between a free-scoring Benfica and an AZ side still to show its European hand in this season’s competition.

From a predictive perspective, the win probabilities are perfectly balanced at 33% home, 33% draw, and 33% away, emphasizing just how open this match is on paper. That makes the expected starting lineup choices and tactical tweaks even more decisive as both coaches look to exploit any marginal edge.

Benfica Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Benfica enter this match with no confirmed injury or suspension issues listed, meaning the coach should have a full squad available. With no significant absences reported, selection decisions are likely to be driven by form, tactical fit, and rotation across a busy schedule rather than enforced changes. Their recent European record is impressive: 4 wins from 6, 19 goals scored and just 6 conceded, plus a last-five record showing 87% performance in attack and 76% in defense.

Given that background, an aggressive, front-foot approach is expected, especially in Lisbon where they have scored 14 goals in just 3 home fixtures (an average of 4.7 per game). The predicted lineups will naturally be built around their standout Europa League performers, with the coach likely to stick close to the attacking core that has delivered such numbers, while using a compact but proactive structure behind them.

Benfica Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: A. Trubin
DF: A. Bah, C. Lenglet, Tomás Araújo, S. El Karouani
MF: João Palhinha, E. Barrenechea, H. Sudakov, J. Kamiński, Rafa
FW: V. Pavlidis

This expected starting lineup is built around Benfica’s Europa League stars. Up front, V. Pavlidis is the obvious focal point: he is the competition’s leading scorer for Benfica with 5 goals and also sits top of their assist chart with 1, making him the primary reference in the final third. His dual presence at the top of both scoring and assisting lists, plus his appearance in the disciplinary charts, underlines how central he is to everything Benfica do in attack.

Supporting him, Rafa provides penetration and creativity from advanced midfield or wide areas, having contributed 2 goals and 1 assist. A. Schjelderup and D. Lukebakio are also strong attacking options with 1 goal and 1 assist each, but in this predicted XI they are likely first off the bench to maintain intensity. In midfield, H. Sudakov, J. Kamiński and L. Barreiro are all among the top assist providers (each with 1), giving the coach several technically secure options to connect defense and attack. For balance, João Palhinha and E. Barrenechea offer ball-winning and positional discipline at the base of midfield.

At the back, C. Lenglet stands out as a defender with a goal in the competition and regular minutes, while Tomás Araújo has also chipped in with a goal from defense. A. Bah, who appears in both the assist and card charts, adds vertical thrust and crossing from full-back, but his bookings mean he must manage his aggression carefully. The overall structure points to an attacking-minded shape with overlapping full-backs and a creative band behind Pavlidis, fully in line with Benfica’s 19 goals in six European matches.

AZ Alkmaar Team News & Expected Lineups Today

AZ Alkmaar also come into this fixture with no listed injuries or suspensions, so there are no significant absences reported on their side either. That gives their coach maximum flexibility to choose the strongest possible starting lineup for one of the toughest away trips in the league stage. With no Europa League form string available yet (their league form is recorded as null and their last-five metrics are 0% across attack and defense), this will be their first real data point in the 2026 Europa League season.

Because AZ’s statistical footprint in this competition is still blank, the predicted lineups today are built purely from the squad structure: established goalkeepers, a mix of experienced and young defenders, and a front line featuring several promising attackers. The expectation is that they will adopt a more cautious, compact setup in Lisbon, looking to control central spaces and break quickly through their wide forwards and attacking midfielders.

AZ Alkmaar Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: R. Owusu-Oduro
DF: W. Hoedt, W. Goes, M. Chávez, D. Kasius
MF: J. Clasie, P. Koopmeiners, C. Stengs, K. Smit, V. Byskov
FW: J. Hornkamp

With no Europa League top scorers or assist leaders yet on record for AZ, the predicted starting lineup leans on positional hierarchy and experience. In goal, R. Owusu-Oduro is a logical choice from a deep pool that also includes H. Verhulst and J. Zoet. At the back, W. Hoedt and W. Goes form an experienced and physically strong central pairing, flanked by M. Chávez and D. Kasius, both capable of defending wide spaces and supporting transitions.

In midfield, J. Clasie and P. Koopmeiners provide structure, passing range and leadership, likely operating as the central platform. Ahead of them, C. Stengs is the standout creative figure, listed as a midfielder but capable of playing high between the lines and drifting wide to combine. Around him, K. Smit and V. Byskov add youthful energy and off-the-ball running, helping AZ to press selectively and counter at pace. J. Hornkamp leads the line as the central striker, with alternatives such as M. Meerdink or Weslley Patati available if the coach prefers more direct speed or penalty-box presence.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With neither club reporting injuries or suspensions for this fixture, the match dynamic is shaped more by tactical choices and form than by enforced absences. Both coaches can field near-ideal XIs, which should increase the overall quality and tempo of the game.

Benfica Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

AZ Alkmaar Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

This contest sets up as a clash between Benfica’s proven Europa League firepower and an AZ Alkmaar side that may rely more on structure and control. Benfica’s European league numbers are striking: 19 goals scored in 6 matches, with an average of 3.2 goals per game and a spread of scoring across all phases of the match. They have also conceded only 6, keeping one clean sheet and failing to score in none of those games. Their last-five record shows a 100% attack index and 100% form index, underlining their current sharpness in the final third.

AZ, by contrast, enter with a defensive comparison index of 100% versus Benfica’s 0% in that particular metric, which hints that the underlying model views them as potentially more solid at the back relative to their current attacking readiness. With no goals scored or conceded yet in this Europa League season, they are something of a tactical unknown, but the likely plan in Lisbon is clear: maintain a compact block, protect central areas through Clasie and Koopmeiners, and look for quick outlets through Stengs and the wide forwards. The key positional battle will be Benfica’s attacking midfielders and Pavlidis against AZ’s central defense and double pivot. If Benfica can isolate Pavlidis against Hoedt and Goes with quality service from Rafa, Sudakov and Kamiński, the Dutch side could be forced deeper and deeper. Conversely, if AZ’s midfield can slow the tempo and cut off supply lines, they have enough technical players to exploit any Benfica over-commitment on the break.

Match Prediction and Verdict

With the win probabilities perfectly split at 33% for Benfica, 33% for the draw and 33% for AZ Alkmaar, this match is rated as finely balanced by the prediction model. However, the available form data clearly tilts toward Benfica: they have already shown they can score heavily at home in this competition, and their last-five European record (4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss, 18 goals for and 4 against) is significantly stronger than AZ’s blank slate.

Given Benfica’s attacking rhythm, the presence of a prolific forward in V. Pavlidis, and a creative cast that includes Rafa and A. Schjelderup, they should generate enough chances to edge a tight game. AZ’s lack of Europa League minutes this season introduces some uncertainty, but away to a side with Benfica’s scoring record, a conservative predicted scoreline still leans slightly toward the hosts, even if the probability block itself is neutral.

Predicted Outcome: Benfica 2–1 AZ Alkmaar

How to Watch Benfica vs AZ Alkmaar Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

• Spain: Local sports broadcaster or streaming platform
• UK: Major pay-TV sports channel or official UEFA Europa League partner
• USA / North America: Regional sports network or dedicated soccer streaming service
• South America: Continental sports channel or national cable sports network
• MENA: Regional satellite sports network with UEFA Europa League rights