Kenya Sport

Benfica vs OFI Prediction: Key Stats, Betting Tips, and Team News

Benfica welcome OFI to Lisbon on 10 December 2026 for a pivotal UEFA Europa League League Stage - 6 clash that could shape the final seeding of the League Round table. The Portuguese giants sit 4th in the League Round standings, while OFI are down in 25th, but both sides come into this fixture with perfect points tallies still to be written, as the official group table lists 0 games played so far.

Despite the blank slate in the standings, underlying Europa League statistics tell a different story. Benfica have already put together an eye-catching attacking record across six tournament matches, while OFI have been one of the surprise packages, winning both of their games with a flawless defensive record. This encounter should interest anyone looking for Benfica vs OFI predictions, Europa League betting tips, and deeper analysis of form and key players before kick-off in Lisbon.

Benfica vs OFI Key Stats

  • Benfica are ranked 4th in the League Round standings, with a recent form line of WWDWW in the competition.
  • OFI are ranked 25th in the League Round and come in with a perfect recent Europa League form of WW.
  • Across 6 Europa League fixtures, Benfica have scored 19 goals (3.2 per game) and conceded 6 (1.0 per game), while OFI have scored 5 and conceded 0 in 2 matches.

Benfica vs OFI — Tale of the Tape

  • Position: 4 vs 25
  • Points: 0 vs 0
  • Goals For: 0 vs 0
  • Goals Against: 0 vs 0
  • Clean Sheets: Benfica 1 (tournament statistics), OFI 2 (tournament statistics)

The official League Round table is yet to reflect the underlying Europa League campaign, with both Benfica and OFI listed on 0 games played and 0 goals for or against. However, recent tournament statistics highlight two teams approaching this match from very different profiles: Benfica as a high-volume attacking side, OFI as a compact, defensively solid outfit.

Benfica’s broader Europa League sample of 6 matches shows 4 wins, 1 draw and just 1 defeat, with 19 goals scored and only 6 conceded. OFI, by contrast, have a smaller but perfect sample of 2 wins from 2, scoring 5 and not conceding a single goal. On paper, Benfica’s higher ranking and deeper European pedigree make them favourites, but OFI’s 100% record and two clean sheets suggest they will not be overawed in Lisbon.

Benfica vs OFI Key Matchups

V. Pavlidis vs OFI’s back three (3-4-3)

V. Pavlidis is the standout attacking figure in this Europa League campaign for Benfica. The Greek forward has 5 goals and 1 assist from 3 appearances, while also featuring at the top of the assists charts and the yellow cards list for his club (1 booking, 0 reds). His combination of end product and work rate makes him the primary reference point in the Benfica attack.

OFI’s defensive unit, operating out of a 3-4-3 shape across 2 Europa League matches, has yet to concede a goal. With 2 clean sheets from 2 fixtures and no red cards, their back line has been disciplined and well-structured. Stopping Pavlidis’ movement between the lines and his penalty-box instincts will be central to OFI’s game plan; if they can limit service into him, they significantly reduce Benfica’s cutting edge.

Rafa vs OFI’s midfield screen

Rafa offers Benfica another key creative and scoring outlet. The 33-year-old forward has 2 goals and 1 assist from 4 Europa League appearances and no cards, underlining his importance in linking midfield and attack. His ability to drift into pockets, combine with Pavlidis and attack space behind the defence is a major part of Benfica’s 3.2 goals-per-game output.

OFI’s midfield, anchored by experienced names such as A. Bouchalakis and supported by workers like G. Kanellópoulos and Z. Karachalios, will need to close down Rafa’s space between the lines. If they can disrupt his rhythm, OFI’s 100% defensive record in the competition (0 goals conceded, 0.0 goals against per game) has a better chance of holding up against one of the Europa League’s most potent attacks.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

There are no recent competitive meetings between Benfica and OFI in the available data, so this Europa League clash effectively opens a new chapter in their head-to-head history.

    Benfica vs OFI Prediction

    Stylistically, this match sets up as Benfica’s free-scoring attack against OFI’s early-tournament defensive perfection. Benfica’s Europa League form line of LWWDWW across 6 fixtures is underpinned by 19 goals scored and only 6 conceded, with a particularly strong record at “home” in the competition: 14 goals in 3 home fixtures (4.7 per game) and just 2 conceded.

    OFI’s sample is smaller but impressive: 2 wins from 2, 5 goals scored and none conceded, including a 3-0 home win and a 2-0 away victory. Their last-five snapshot shows 100 out of 100 in form and defence indices, with 2.5 goals scored per game and 0 conceded. That suggests they are well-organised and effective on the counter, especially in a 3-4-3 that can quickly turn defence into attack.

    The prediction model slightly favours Benfica to win (winner: Benfica), but the probabilities are surprisingly balanced: 35% chance of a home win, 35% for a draw and 30% for an OFI victory. The comparison indices (form, attack, defence, total) lean towards Benfica in attack and overall strength, while OFI hold the edge in defensive metrics and Poisson-based goal suppression.

    Given Benfica’s firepower and home advantage in Lisbon, they should find a way through OFI’s back line, but the Greek side’s compact structure and recent form suggest they can keep the scoreline competitive.

    Predicted Score: Benfica 2-1 OFI

    Benfica Recent Form

    Benfica’s recent Europa League form reads LWWDWW across 6 matches. That sequence reflects a team that responded well to an early setback, stringing together wins and a draw while averaging 3.2 goals scored and 1.0 conceded per game. At home in the competition, they have been particularly dominant with 3 wins from 3, 14 goals scored and only 2 conceded, backed by one clean sheet and zero games without scoring.

    OFI Recent Form

    OFI’s Europa League form line is a short but perfect WW. Across those 2 fixtures, they have scored 5 goals (2.5 per game) and conceded none, keeping 2 clean sheets. Their biggest wins include a 3-0 home victory and a 2-0 success away, underlining that their defensive solidity and counter-attacking threat travel well.

    Benfica Possible Starting Lineup

    GK: A. Trubin; Defenders: A. Bah, C. Lenglet, Tomás Araújo, S. Dahl; Midfielders: Joāo Palhinha, L. Barreiro, H. Sudakov, J. Kamiński; Forwards: Rafa, V. Pavlidis.

    Benfica’s Europa League statistics indicate frequent use of a back four, with 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-3-2 the most common formations. That points to a structure featuring A. Trubin in goal, a back line built around C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo, and attacking full-backs like A. Bah. In midfield, the presence of Joāo Palhinha and L. Barreiro provides defensive balance, allowing creative players such as H. Sudakov and J. Kamiński to support Rafa and V. Pavlidis. With multiple forwards (including J. Durán, D. Lukebakio and A. Schjelderup) contributing goals and assists in the competition, Benfica have depth to change the game from the bench.

    OFI Possible Starting Lineup

    GK: N. Christogeorgos; Defenders: N. Marinakis, A. Poungouras, D. Nikolaou; Midfielders: T. Androutsos, G. Kanellópoulos, A. Bouchalakis, L. Dickmann; Forwards: Aitor Cantalapiedra, T. Fountas, K. Kodro.

    OFI have consistently lined up in a 3-4-3 across their 2 Europa League fixtures, a shape that has delivered 2 wins, 5 goals scored and 0 conceded. A back three of experienced defenders like N. Marinakis, A. Poungouras and D. Nikolaou can stay compact, protected by a hard-working midfield that includes A. Bouchalakis and G. Kanellópoulos. Up front, the likes of Aitor Cantalapiedra, T. Fountas and K. Kodro offer a blend of movement and finishing that has already produced a 3-0 and a 2-0 win in the tournament.

    Benfica Team News

    No significant absences reported.

    OFI Team News

    No significant absences reported.

    Injuries & Suspensions

    Benfica:

    • None reported.

    OFI:

    • None reported.

    Betting Tips: Benfica vs OFI

    Exactly 3 distinct tips from different markets:

    • Result Tip: Back Benfica in the 1X2 market. The prediction model gives Benfica a 35% win probability, slightly higher than OFI’s 30%, with another 35% on the draw. Benfica’s broader Europa League record (4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss from 6, 19 goals scored) and perfect home record in the competition (3 wins, 14 goals scored) make them the logical side to side with, even against an OFI team that has started with two wins.
    • Goals Tip: Consider over 2.5 total goals. Benfica’s Europa League matches average 4.2 goals per game (19 for, 6 against in 6 fixtures), and 4 of their 6 games have gone over the 2.5-goal mark. OFI have averaged 2.5 goals scored per match themselves, and while they have yet to concede, facing Benfica’s 3.2 goals-per-game attack in Lisbon suggests a higher-scoring contest than their early clean-sheet record might imply.
    • Value Tip: Look at V. Pavlidis in the goalscorer markets. With 5 goals and 1 assist from just 3 Europa League appearances, plus a central role in Benfica’s penalty-box play, Pavlidis is the key attacking threat. His output accounts for a significant share of Benfica’s 19-goal tally, and against an OFI side stepping up in class, he offers strong value in anytime scorer or first goalscorer markets.

    Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.

    Related Articles