The Matchday 4 clash in the 2025/26 Champions League group stage between Benfica (Portugal) and Bayer (Germany) will take place on November 5 at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. Benfica vs. Bayer: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Benfica
José Mourinho's side suffered another defeat in the last round, losing 0-3 to Newcastle away. As a result, Benfica has endured three consecutive losses in the Champions League, failing to score in the last two matches. Additionally, the team has conceded three goals twice in this edition of the tournament. In the group stage standings, the Lisbon side has no points and is in second-to-last place.
- The club has not won in 6 of their last 8 home matches in the Champions League (2 draws, 4 losses).
- The team has conceded in 12 of their previous 16 home matches in this tournament.
- The Lisbon side scored in the first half in 5 of their last 6 home games in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Benfica (4-3-3)
Anatoliy Trubin – António Silva, Tomás Araújo, Nicolás Otamendi, Amar Dedić – Richard Ríos, Enzo Barrenechea, Heorhiy Sudakov – Fredrik Aursnes, Evangelos Pavlidis, Dodi Lukebakio.
Defender Alexander Bah, midfielder Nuno Félix, and forward Bruma are injured.
Bayer
In the last round, Kasper Hjulmand's side suffered a crushing 2-7 defeat to PSG at home. As a result, Bayer lost by a five-goal margin in the Champions League for the first time since 2013. However, the team managed to score at least two goals for only the third time in their last eight matches in this tournament. Overall, the club's winless streak in the Champions League has reached five matches (2 draws, 3 losses). Leverkusen sits in 30th place in the standings with two points.
- The team has not won in 8 of their last 9 away matches in the Champions League (3 draws, 5 losses).
- At least one opponent failed to score in 9 of Bayer's last 12 away matches in this tournament.
- Leverkusen has conceded at least two goals in 6 of their last 8 away matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Bayer (3-4-3)
Mark Flekken – Loïc Badé, Jarell Quansah, Edmond Tapsoba – Arthur, Álex Grimaldo, Ignacio Fernández, Aleix García – Claudio Echeverri, Kristian Koffi, Ernest Poku.
Defender Axel Tuanzebe, midfielders Ignacio Fernández, Malik Tillman, Exequiel Palacios, and Nathan Tella are unavailable due to injuries. Midfielder Robert Andrich is suspended.
Referee
Simone Sozza (England)
Matches – 10 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 44;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.4;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 20%.
Benfica vs. Bayer: Match Prediction
Despite poor results in the current Champions League campaign, the Lisbon side is quite capable of delivering an impressive performance at home. Previously, Benfica, although not always achieving the desired results, was effective in attack: in their last ten home matches in the Champions League, the team failed to score only twice. In six of those games, the club scored at least twice, and against Barcelona, Atlético, and Inter, the Portuguese side scored at least three goals.
Bayer, meanwhile, could once again suffer from a vulnerable defense. In the last round, the team conceded seven goals to PSG at home, and away, the Germans have not been known for solid defensive performances. In their last eight away matches in the Champions League, the club kept a clean sheet only once, and in six of those encounters, Leverkusen conceded at least two goals.
I believe the hosts will score several goals in this match, and my prediction: Benfica Individual Total Over 1.5
