Benfica vs Napoli: Prediction, Lineups & Kickoff Time | UEFA Champions League 2025/26

On: December 8, 2025 2:51 AM

Benfica vs Napoli: Prediction, Lineups & Kickoff Time | UEFA Champions League 2025/26

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Benfica vs Napoli — Match Preview

A do-or-die Champions League encounter awaits at the Estádio da Luz on Wednesday, 10 December 2025. Benfica, currently languishing in 30th place with just 3 points, are in critical danger of elimination. They face a Napoli side sitting 20th with 7 points, looking to secure their spot in the playoff round. After a hard-fought draw in the Lisbon Derby, Benfica must channel that intensity into a win here, while Napoli arrives full of confidence after four straight victories.

Benfica vs Napoli — Match Info

Competition: UEFA Champions League (League Phase – Matchday 6)
Venue: Estádio da Luz, Lisbon (Capacity: 68,100)
Date: Wednesday, 10 December 2025
Kickoff: 20:00 WET | 21:00 CET | 01:30 IST (Thursday)
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL) [Expected]

Benfica vs Napoli — Match Stakes

Benfica (30th — 3 pts):

Win → Moves to 6 pts; keeps hopes alive for a top-24 finish (playoff spot)
Draw → Likely fatal for their qualification chances
Loss → Almost certainly eliminates them from Europe

Napoli (20th — 7 pts):

Win → Jumps to 10 pts; virtually guarantees a playoff spot, potentially pushing for top 8
Draw → Keeps them in the mix (8 pts) but leaves work to do in final rounds
Loss → Drags them back into the danger zone of the elimination scrap

Benfica vs Napoli — Team News

Benfica:

Lukebakio D. — Out (Ankle Injury)
Bah A. — Out (Knee Injury)
H. Araújo — Out (Muscle)

Napoli:

Anguissa F. — Out (Thigh Injury)
Lobotka S. — Out (Muscle Injury)
Lukaku R. — Out (Thigh Injury)
Meret A. — Out (Foot Injury)
De Bruyne K. — Out (Thigh Injury)

Benfica vs Napoli — Team Form (Last 5 Matches)

Benfica

06/12 — 1–1 vs Sporting CP (League)
29/11 — 2–1 vs Nacional (League)
25/11 — 2–0 vs Ajax (UCL)
22/11 — 2–0 vs Atletico CP (Cup)
10/11 — 2–2 vs Casa Pia (League)

Napoli

03/12 — 2–1 vs Cagliari (Cup)
01/12 — 1–0 vs AS Roma (Serie A)
26/11 — 2–0 vs Qarabag (UCL)
23/11 — 3–1 vs Atalanta (Serie A)
09/11 — 0–2 vs Bologna (Serie A)

Benfica vs Napoli — Head-to-Head (Last 5 Meetings)

07/12/2016 — Benfica 1–2 Napoli (UCL)
29/09/2016 — Napoli 4–2 Benfica (UCL)
10/08/2013 — Napoli 2–1 Benfica (Friendly)
03/10/2008 — Benfica 2–0 Napoli (Europa League)
19/09/2008 — Napoli 3–2 Benfica (Europa League)

Benfica vs Napoli — Playing XI (Predicted Lineups)

Benfica (4-2-3-1)

Trubin; T. Araújo, Otamendi, A. Silva, Carreras; Florentino, Kökçü; Di María, Aktürkoğlu, Schjelderup; Pavlidis.

Napoli (4-3-3)

Milinkovic-Savic V.; Di Lorenzo G., Rrahmani A., Buongiorno A., Olivera M.; McTominay S., Elmas E., Folorunsho M.; David Neres, Hojlund R., Lang N.

Benfica vs Napoli — Impact Bench

Benfica: Arthur Cabral (Target man), Prestianni (Dribbler), Renato Sanches (Energy)

Napoli: Simeone (Clutch scorer), Spinazzola (Wing-back option), Raspadori (Link-up play)

Benfica vs Napoli — Tactical Analysis

Benfica

Benfica will rely on home advantage and the creativity of Ángel Di María to break down Napoli. With Bah out, their right flank is vulnerable, but Kökçü’s passing range will be vital to release Pavlidis. They must win the midfield battle against a depleted Napoli engine room to protect their defense.

Napoli

Even without Lobotka and Anguissa, Napoli’s midfield has looked robust thanks to the physicality of Scott McTominay and the energy of Folorunsho. Their attack, featuring the pace of Noa Lang and David Neres flanking Rasmus Hojlund, is built for rapid transitions. They will likely look to exploit the space behind Benfica’s full-backs on the counter.

Benfica vs Napoli — Key Battles

Otamendi vs Hojlund — veteran savvy vs pure speed and power
Florentino vs McTominay — battle for second balls in midfield
Carreras vs David Neres — can the Benfica LB handle the Brazilian’s trickery?
Di María vs Olivera — a classic South American duel on the wing

Benfica vs Napoli — Spotlight Players

Benfica — Kerem Aktürkoğlu

The “Harry Potter” of Benfica needs to conjure some magic. Operating in the #10 or wide role, his ability to find pockets of space between Napoli’s lines will be the key to unlocking a stubborn Italian defense.

Napoli — Rasmus Hojlund

Stepping up in the absence of Romelu Lukaku and Osimhen, Hojlund offers a different threat. His ability to run the channels and stretch the pitch will force Benfica’s defensive line deeper, creating room for Napoli’s midfielders.

Benfica vs Napoli — Prediction

Benfica 2–2 Napoli

Benfica are desperate and will throw everything at this game, but their defense has been leaky (8 goals conceded in 5 UCL games). Napoli are in great form but are missing key defensive screeners. An entertaining, high-scoring draw seems likely, which helps Napoli more than Benfica.