Ajax vs Benfica — Match Preview
Desperation defines this Tuesday night clash at the Johan Cruijff ArenA as Ajax host Benfica in the UEFA Champions League. Both historic giants find themselves in a nightmare scenario: zero points from their opening four matches, sitting 36th and 35th in the league phase table respectively.
For Ajax caretaker boss Fred Grim, this is a chance to restore pride to a battered squad that has conceded 14 goals in Europe. For José Mourinho, the pressure is boiling over. Fresh off a public tirade against his own players after a cup win, the “Special One” demands a reaction. With both sides fighting for their European lives and potentially a spot in the top 24 playoffs, this is a “loser goes home” battle of attrition.
Ajax vs Benfica — Quick Match Info
- Fixture: Ajax vs Benfica
- Competition: UEFA Champions League (League Phase – Matchday 5)
- Venue: Johan Cruijff ArenA, Amsterdam (Capacity: 55,885)
- Date: Tuesday, 25 November 2025
- Kickoff Time: 21:00 CET / 20:00 GMT / 01:30 IST (Wednesday)
- Referee: TBC
- TV Channel (UK): TNT Sports
- TV Channel (USA): Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo
- TV Channel (India): Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV
- Live Stream: Paramount+ (USA), SonyLIV / JioTV (India)
Ajax vs Benfica — Match Context (2025/26 Season)
Ajax:
- Position: 36th in Champions League (0 Points).
- Form: Crisis. A 1-2 loss to Excelsior last weekend compounded a miserable run. They have conceded 14 goals in 4 CL games, the worst defensive record in the competition.
- Current Challenge: Stopping the bleeding. Fred Grim needs to organize a defense that looks terrified every time the opposition crosses the halfway line.
Benfica:
- Position: 35th in Champions League (0 Points).
- Form: Volatile. While they beat Atletico CP 2-0 in the Cup, Mourinho’s post-match comments accusing players of “betrayal” suggest a fractured dressing room.
- Current Challenge: Scoring goals in Europe. They have only found the net twice in this campaign.
Ajax vs Benfica — What’s at Stake
For Ajax:
- Survival: A loss here almost certainly ends their European season. They need 3 points to have any mathematical hope of sneaking into the top 24 playoff spots.
For Benfica:
- Mourinho’s Authority: Another lifeless European loss could turn the board against Mourinho. He needs his players to fight for him to prove he hasn’t lost the dressing room.
Ajax vs Benfica — Team Form
Ajax (Last 5 Matches):
- L vs Excelsior (1-2)
- L vs Utrecht (1-2)
- L vs Galatasaray (0-3 – CL)
- D vs Heerenveen (1-1)
- W vs Twente (3-2)
Benfica (Last 5 Matches):
- W vs Atletico CP (2-0 – Cup)
- D vs Casa Pia (2-2)
- L vs Bayer Leverkusen (0-1 – CL)
- W vs Vitoria Guimaraes (3-0)
- W vs Tondela (3-0)
Ajax vs Benfica — Team News
Ajax:
- Branco van den Boomen: Doubtful (Back Injury – A huge miss for set-piece delivery).
- Steven Berghuis: Doubtful (Groin Injury – Their most creative outlet).
- Wout Weghorst: Available. The towering striker is expected to start and provide a focal point.
- Mika Godts: Available. The young winger is one of the few bright spots in a dismal season.
Benfica:
- Vangelis Pavlidis: Out (Knee Injury – Massive blow to their attack).
- Georgiy Sudakov: Out (Hip Injury – Ruled out until December).
- Alexander Bah: Doubtful (Cruciate Ligament – Likely out).
- Manu Silva: Doubtful (Cruciate Ligament).
- Bruma: Doubtful (Achilles Tendon).
- Franjo Ivanovic: Expected to lead the line in Pavlidis’ absence.
Ajax vs Benfica — Head to Head
- 16 Mar 2022: Ajax 0–1 Benfica (CL)
- 24 Feb 2022: Benfica 2–2 Ajax (CL)
- 08 Nov 2018: Benfica 1–1 Ajax (CL)
- 24 Oct 2018: Ajax 1–0 Benfica (CL)
- 27 Jul 2014: Benfica 0–1 Ajax (Friendly)
Ajax vs Benfica — Predicted Lineups
Ajax (4-2-3-1):
Grim opts for experience in midfield with Klaassen, hoping to protect a shaky backline.
- GK: Remko Pasveer
- RB: Anton Gaaei
- CB: Josip Sutalo
- CB: Youri Baas
- LB: Owen Wijndal
- CDM: Davy Klaassen (C)
- CDM: Jorthy Mokio
- RW: Youri Regeer
- CAM: Oscar Gloukh
- LW: Mika Godts
- ST: Wout Weghorst
Benfica (4-2-3-1):
Mourinho is forced to shuffle his pack due to injuries. Schjelderup gets a huge chance on the wing.
- GK: Anatoliy Trubin
- RB: Fredrik Aursnes (Filling in at RB)
- CB: Tomas Araujo
- CB: Nicolás Otamendi (C)
- LB: Samuel Dahl
- CDM: Richard Rios
- CDM: Enzo Barrenechea
- RW: Gianluca Prestianni
- CAM: Leandro Barreiro
- LW: Andreas Schjelderup
- ST: Franjo Ivanovic
Ajax vs Benfica — Impact Bench Options
Ajax:
- Brian Brobbey: If Weghorst isn’t working, Brobbey offers power and chaos off the bench. He can bully tired defenders in the final 20 minutes.
- Kenneth Taylor: Can provide control in midfield if Ajax are chasing the game.
Benfica:
- Ángel Di María: The veteran (if fit enough for the squad) brings world-class experience. In a tight game, his delivery from set-pieces could be the difference.
- Arthur Cabral: A physical option upfront if they need to go direct.
Ajax vs Benfica — Tactical Outlook
Ajax:
- Playing Style: Nervous Possession. Ajax will try to keep the ball, but confidence is low. They will look to feed Mika Godts early to isolate him 1v1 against Aursnes. Wout Weghorst will be the target for every cross.
- Weakness: Defensive Transitions. When they lose the ball, the gap between midfield and defense is massive. Ajax have been punished on the counter-attack repeatedly this season.
Benfica:
- Playing Style: Mourinho Pragmatism. Expect Benfica to sit deep, absorb pressure, and frustrate the Amsterdam crowd. They will target the space behind Owen Wijndal on the counter using Prestianni’s speed.
- Strength: Set Pieces. With Otamendi and Araujo, Benfica are dangerous in the air. Given Ajax’s struggles defending corners, this is their best route to goal.
Ajax vs Benfica — Key Battles
| Matchup | Battle Type | Edge |
| Mika Godts vs. Fredrik Aursnes | Speed vs. Intelligence: Aursnes is a midfielder playing right-back. Godts is fast and tricky. If Godts isolates him, Ajax will create chances. | Ajax |
| Wout Weghorst vs. Nicolás Otamendi | Heavyweight Clash: Two veterans who love a physical battle. Otamendi must stop Weghorst from winning flick-ons. | Benfica |
| Josip Sutalo vs. Franjo Ivanovic | Defensive Nerves: Sutalo has struggled for form. Ivanovic is unproven at this level but will press hard. A mistake here could decide the game. | Benfica |
Ajax vs Benfica — Spotlight Players
Oscar Gloukh (Ajax):
The Israeli playmaker is the creative hub of this team. With Berghuis likely out, everything goes through him. He needs to find pockets of space between Benfica’s defensive lines to feed Weghorst.
Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica):
The captain has seen it all. In a hostile atmosphere with a team under pressure, his leadership is vital. He needs to organize a defense that has conceded 8 goals in Europe and ensure heads don’t drop if they concede.
Ajax vs Benfica — Fan Reactions
Ajax Fans:
“0 points is embarrassing. We just want to see some fight. If we lose again, the board has to go.”
“Godts is our only hope. Give him the ball and pray.”
Benfica Fans:
“Mourinho called them ‘betrayers’… let’s see if they play for him tonight.”
“No Pavlidis, no Bah… this is going to be ugly. I’d take a 1-0 win right now.”
Ajax vs Benfica — Match-Defining Factors
- The “First Goal” Effect: Both teams are fragile mentally. Whichever team concedes first could collapse.
- Mourinho’s Mind Games: Has his “betrayal” rant motivated the squad or broken them? We will find out in the first 15 minutes.
- Ajax’s Left Flank: With Wijndal pushing up and Aursnes out of position, this channel will see a lot of traffic.
Ajax vs Benfica — Prediction
Score Prediction: Ajax 1–1 Benfica
Betting Insights:
- Outcome: Draw.
- Total Goals: Under 2.5 Goals (A tense, nervous affair with depleted attacks).
- Card Count: Over 4.5 Cards (Frustration will boil over for both sides).
Analysis: Neither team has shown enough quality to justify being favorites. Ajax are leaking goals but playing at home; Benfica are more organized but missing their key striker. Expect a scrappy, low-quality draw that keeps both teams miserable at the bottom of the table.
Ajax vs Benfica — Final Word
It’s the Battle of the Bottom. Two European giants fighting to avoid humiliation. Ajax need the crowd to lift them, while Benfica need to prove they are still playing for José Mourinho. Don’t expect a classic, but expect drama, tension, and a fight for survival.
Ajax vs Benfica — FAQs
When is the Ajax vs Benfica match?
The match is on Tuesday, 25 November 2025, at 21:00 CET (Wednesday 01:30 IST).
Is Vangelis Pavlidis playing?
No, the Greek striker is out with a knee injury.
Why are both teams on 0 points?
Both Ajax and Benfica have lost their first 4 Champions League matches, struggling defensively and offensively in the new league format.
Where can I watch in India?
You can watch the match on Sony Sports Network and stream it on SonyLIV.
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