Benfica vs AZ Alkmaar Predicted Lineups: Team News for UEFA Europa League

Benfica welcome AZ Alkmaar to Lisbon in the UEFA Europa League league stage, with both clubs looking to make an early statement in “League Stage - 8”. Neither side has registered a point yet in this phase – the table lists Benfica 4th and AZ Alkmaar 3rd in the League Round group, both on 0 points with no games played – so this fixture is a clean slate and a key opportunity to seize momentum.

Benfica arrive with strong underlying form in European competition. Their recent league record in this Europa League campaign reads LWWDWW, and they have been prolific in front of goal, averaging 3.2 goals per match and scoring 19 times in 6 fixtures. AZ Alkmaar, by contrast, are an unknown quantity at this stage, with no previous league-stage data logged yet. That contrast in competitive rhythm and attacking output will heavily shape the predicted lineups and tactical expectations heading into this tie.

With official team sheets not yet available, this analysis focuses on predicted lineups built from squad lists, recent form and key player statistics. The starting lineup choices for both Benfica and AZ Alkmaar will be crucial in a group-format league stage where every point matters and early slip-ups can be costly.

Benfica Team News & Expected Lineups Today

There are no confirmed injury or suspension listings for this fixture, so Benfica are expected to have a full squad available. That allows the coaching staff to lean on their strongest core that has already delivered high-scoring performances in this Europa League season. With a form line of LWWDWW and a home scoring average of 4.7 goals per game, Benfica are likely to set up in an attacking-minded shape, especially in Lisbon.

Previous lineup patterns in this competition show Benfica using systems built around a single central striker with strong support from wide and central attacking midfielders. Given the available personnel and the need to turn their offensive firepower into points, an aggressive, front-foot selection is expected, with emphasis on high pressing and quick combinations in the final third.

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 predicted lineup is built around Benfica’s standout attacking contributors in the Europa League. V. Pavlidis has been the headline figure, leading the scoring charts with 5 goals and 1 assist in just 3 appearances. He is the natural choice to spearhead the attack, offering penalty-box presence and finishing to convert the volume of chances Benfica create. Behind him, Rafa provides penetration between the lines and has already contributed 2 goals and 1 assist, making him a key creative and scoring threat from advanced midfield zones.

On the flanks and in support, J. Kamiński and H. Sudakov both feature among the top assist providers, each with 1 assist, and are expected to link midfield to attack with intelligent movement and delivery. In deeper roles, João Palhinha and E. Barrenechea give the side balance: Palhinha as the ball-winner and screen in front of the defence, Barrenechea as a more progressive option who can help circulate possession. At the back, C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo have both chipped in with goals in this competition, while A. Bah offers width and overlapping runs on the right, also ranking among Benfica’s assist contributors. With A. Trubin in goal, this XI combines Benfica’s most productive forwards with a stable defensive spine that has conceded just 1.0 goal per match.

AZ Alkmaar Team News & Expected Lineups Today

As with Benfica, there are no listed injuries or suspensions for AZ Alkmaar ahead of this match. That means the Dutch side travel to Lisbon with a full complement of players, giving them flexibility to tailor their approach to one of the competition’s most in-form attacks. With no prior league-stage fixtures recorded and therefore no form string available, AZ’s tactical approach is inferred from the balance of their squad rather than recent Europa League results.

Given Benfica’s firepower and home record, AZ Alkmaar are likely to favour a compact, disciplined setup in their lineups today, looking to control central areas and counter through pace and direct running. The squad list points to a blend of experienced defenders and a mix of technical and industrious midfielders, plus a forward line capable of stretching the game in transition.

AZ Alkmaar Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

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

With no Europa League top-scorer or top-assist entries yet for AZ Alkmaar, this predicted starting lineup leans on positional hierarchy and experience. R. Owusu-Oduro is a logical choice in goal, supported by a back line featuring W. Hoedt’s aerial ability and leadership alongside W. Goes, with M. Chávez and M. de Wit operating as full-backs to provide defensive solidity and occasional support in wide areas.

In midfield, veteran J. Clasie offers control and positional discipline, while P. Koopmeiners adds ball progression and the ability to break lines with passing. K. Smit and V. Byskov bring energy and forward running from central and half-space positions, and C. Stengs is the natural creative hub, operating between the lines to supply the front man. Up front, J. Hornkamp is expected to lead the line, tasked with holding up play, attacking crosses and finishing the limited chances AZ may generate on the counter. This XI is constructed to be compact without the ball but still capable of hurting Benfica if given space in transition.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no official absences recorded for either side, the main selection questions revolve around tactical preferences rather than enforced changes. Both coaches can rotate or reinforce specific lines depending on how aggressive or conservative they wish to be in this league-stage encounter.

Benfica Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

AZ Alkmaar Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

The key tactical battle is likely to be Benfica’s high-powered attack against AZ Alkmaar’s attempt to remain compact and organised. Benfica’s Europa League numbers are striking: 19 goals in 6 matches, with an attacking pattern that sees them score consistently across all phases of the game. The presence of V. Pavlidis, Rafa, A. Schjelderup, D. Lukebakio and J. Durán among the competition’s leading scorers and assist providers underlines the depth of their offensive options. Even from deeper positions, players like A. Bah, J. Kamiński, L. Barreiro and H. Sudakov have contributed assists, suggesting Benfica can create from full-back zones, central midfield and wide channels alike.

AZ Alkmaar, by contrast, enter with a blank statistical slate in this Europa League season, which generally points to a more cautious approach away to such a prolific opponent. The predicted midfield trio of J. Clasie, P. Koopmeiners and K. Smit will be central to resisting Benfica’s press and preventing quick central combinations. If they can slow the tempo and protect the back four, AZ’s wide and creative players – particularly C. Stengs and V. Byskov – can look to exploit any space left behind Benfica’s attacking full-backs. However, Benfica’s defensive record, with only 6 goals conceded in 6 matches and at least one clean sheet, suggests that breaking them down will require efficient finishing from J. Hornkamp and sharp decision-making in transition.

Match Prediction and Verdict

Outcome models rate this as an evenly balanced fixture on paper, with the win probabilities split at 33% for Benfica, 33% for the draw and 33% for AZ Alkmaar. However, the underlying form indicators tilt subtly towards the hosts: Benfica boast a 100% recent form index in attack, have scored in every Europa League match so far and have a strong home scoring record. AZ Alkmaar, meanwhile, have no competitive Europa League data logged yet in this phase, which introduces uncertainty around their level against such a free-scoring opponent.

Given Benfica’s depth of attacking options, the presence of multiple players among the top scorers and assist providers, and the advantage of playing in Lisbon, they should be marginally favoured to edge a competitive match. AZ Alkmaar have enough technical quality to create chances and potentially take something from the game, but over 90 minutes Benfica’s offensive rhythm and home comfort are likely to tell.

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: {Broadcaster}
• UK: {Broadcaster}
• USA / North America: {Broadcaster}
• South America: {Broadcaster}
• MENA: {Broadcaster}