Plzen vs Benfica Predicted Lineups: Team News for UEFA Europa League

Plzen welcome Benfica to Doosan Arena in the UEFA Europa League league stage, round 5, in what looks like a classic clash between a dangerous outsider and one of the competition’s early pace-setters. The Czech side are ranked 36th in the overall league table with 0 points so far, while Benfica sit as high as 4th, also on 0 points but with a far stronger broader record and performance indices behind them. With the league stage format rewarding consistency, both clubs know this fixture could be decisive for their qualification prospects.

Recent form data underlines the contrast. Plzen’s league form string reads “LW” across their early fixtures, with one emphatic home win (5–1) offset by a heavy away loss (3–0). Benfica’s league form, “LWWDWW”, shows four wins from six and an attack averaging 3.2 goals per match. That attacking edge, combined with a higher overall comparison index of 59.8 against Plzen’s 40.3, makes the Portuguese visitors clear favourites. Even so, Plzen’s strong home scoring numbers mean any predicted lineups must balance Benfica’s firepower with the hosts’ ability to strike at Doosan Arena.

With official team sheets not yet released, this preview focuses on analytically built predicted lineups, expected starting lineup structures and key team news. The emphasis is on how Plzen can construct a compact, hard-running side, and how Benfica might rotate within an attacking-minded shape built around Europa League top scorer V. Pavlidis.

Plzen Team News & Expected Lineups Today

There are no confirmed injury or suspension listings for Plzen ahead of this Europa League tie, so the working assumption is that the coach has close to a full squad at his disposal. In the absence of documented absentees, it is reasonable to expect continuity around the core that delivered a 5–1 home win earlier in the league campaign, while also learning lessons from the 3–0 away defeat. Their league form “LW” suggests a team still calibrating its balance between aggression and control.

Tactically, Plzen are likely to lean on a compact defensive block with energetic wide players and runners from midfield. Their early Europa League numbers show 5 goals scored in 2 matches (all at home), but also 4 conceded. That profile points to an expected approach built on protecting the central zones with experienced midfielders like P. Hrošovský and L. Červ, while using mobile attackers such as P. Adu and M. Vydra to threaten in transition. With no injuries reported, competition for attacking slots in the starting lineup should be intense.

Plzen Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: D. Ťapaj
DF: Merchas Doski, S. Dweh, A. Gabriel, V. Jemelka
MF: L. Červ, P. Hrošovský, T. Ladra, A. Memić, C. Souaré
FW: M. Vydra

This predicted lineup today for Plzen is built around experience at the back and work-rate across midfield. In goal, D. Ťapaj is the leading candidate from the goalkeeping group, with M. Tvrdoň offering depth. The defensive line prioritises senior options: V. Jemelka provides leadership and aerial strength, with A. Gabriel and S. Dweh offering physicality, while Merchas Doski can give width and overlapping support on the flank.

In midfield, L. Červ and P. Hrošovský project as the double pivot, combining ball-winning and distribution. T. Ladra and A. Memić can operate in advanced or wide roles, linking play and supporting the lone striker, while C. Souaré adds dynamism and pressing from a more central or half-space position. Up front, veteran forward M. Vydra is the logical focal point, bringing movement between the lines and the experience needed against a high-level Benfica defence. Around him, alternatives such as P. Adu, B. Faal, C. Kabongo, S. Lawal, M. Toure and A. Novak give the coach options to adjust the attacking mix from the bench.

Benfica Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Like Plzen, Benfica have no listed injuries or suspensions in the available data, meaning the manager can select from a deep and in-form squad. Their broader Europa League and domestic form is excellent: the last-five form index stands at 87%, with an attacking index of 100% and 18 goals scored in that span. The league form string “LWWDWW” confirms that they have generally responded well to setbacks and maintained a high level of performance.

Given the schedule and the strength in depth, the expected lineups today for Benfica should still feature their key Europa League performers, but with scope for selective rotation. The Portuguese side have predominantly used attacking-minded shapes, with previous lineups including a structure that resembles a single striker supported by three advanced midfielders or wide forwards. With V. Pavlidis leading the competition’s scoring charts and creative support from players like Rafa, A. Schjelderup and D. Lukebakio, Benfica are likely to field a strong starting lineup capable of dominating territory and chance creation.

Benfica Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: A. Trubin
DF: A. Bah, C. Lenglet, Tomás Araújo, S. El Karouani
MF: F. Aursnes, E. Barrenechea, H. Sudakov, J. Kamiński, Rafa
FW: V. Pavlidis

This expected Benfica starting lineup is constructed to keep the core of their Europa League stars on the pitch. In goal, A. Trubin is the standout choice from a group that also includes Samuel Soares and Diogo Ferreira. At the back, A. Bah and S. El Karouani offer attacking thrust from full-back, while C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo have both contributed on the scoresheet in this competition and provide left–right balance in central defence.

The midfield unit blends control, work-rate and creativity. F. Aursnes and E. Barrenechea give structure and ball circulation, while H. Sudakov has already supplied an assist in the Europa League and can link midfield to attack. J. Kamiński, also with an assist to his name, is a natural candidate to operate from wide or half-space positions, stretching the Plzen block. Rafa, one of the top scorers and top assist providers (2 goals, 1 assist), should be a key advanced midfielder, drifting into pockets to combine with the striker.

Up front, there is no doubt about the main reference point. V. Pavlidis has 5 goals and 1 assist in the Europa League, leading both the scoring and assists charts for Benfica and appearing across top scorers, top assists, yellow cards and red cards indices. Around him, high-impact options such as D. Lukebakio, A. Schjelderup, J. Durán and G. Prestianni all have goals and assists in this competition and can change the dynamic from the bench or rotate into the front line if required.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no documented injuries or suspensions for either side, the impact of absences on this match is minimal on paper. That places the tactical and mental dimensions front and centre: both coaches can choose their strongest possible groups, and the outcome will hinge more on execution, in-game adjustments and how well each side exploits its strengths.

Plzen Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Benfica Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

From a tactical perspective, this fixture looks like a clash between Plzen’s compact, counter-oriented structure and Benfica’s fluid, high-powered attack. Plzen have shown they can score heavily at home, netting 5 in a single match, but they also concede regularly, with 4 goals against in just two league fixtures and no clean sheets. Their comparison indices show a modest attack index of 22 and a balanced defence index of 50, underlining that they will likely sit deeper, protect the central channels and look to exploit Benfica on transitions and set pieces.

Benfica, by contrast, arrive with a dominant attacking profile: 19 league goals across six fixtures, an attacking index of 78 in the comparison model, and a last-five attacking index of 100. Their goals are spread across the 90 minutes, with particularly strong output between 31–45 and 76–90 minutes. With creators such as Rafa, H. Sudakov and J. Kamiński behind V. Pavlidis, they are well-equipped to probe Plzen’s defensive block from multiple angles. The wide battle will be critical: A. Bah and S. El Karouani pushing high against Plzen’s full-backs could pin the hosts deep, while any turnovers in those zones will give Plzen’s forwards, especially M. Vydra and the pace options like P. Adu or B. Faal, opportunities to attack space behind Benfica’s advanced line.

Match Prediction and Verdict

All available indicators point towards Benfica having a clear edge. The win-probability model gives Plzen only a 10% chance of victory, with a 45% probability assigned to both the draw and a Benfica win. The overall comparison index favours Benfica 59.8 to 40.3, and the Poisson index leans 70 to 30 in favour of the away side. Benfica’s league form “LWWDWW”, their superior attacking numbers and the presence of the competition’s most prolific forward in V. Pavlidis all support the expectation that they will control the match, even away from home.

At the same time, Plzen’s strong home scoring record and Benfica’s occasional defensive lapses suggest that the hosts can create chances of their own, especially if they manage to keep the game compact for long spells. With the prediction model recommending a “combo double chance: draw or Benfica and over 1.5 goals”, the most plausible verdict is an away win in a match where both sides have opportunities, but Benfica’s superior quality in the final third proves decisive.

Predicted Outcome: Plzen 1–2 Benfica

How to Watch Plzen vs Benfica Worldwide

Here is how you can watch the match and see the official lineups today live:

• Spain: Local sports pay-TV channel or major streaming platform (check regional listings)
• UK: Premium sports broadcaster or official UEFA Europa League streaming service
• USA / North America: National soccer network or subscription-based football streaming platform
• South America: Regional sports cable channel or official competition broadcaster
• MENA: Pan-regional sports network or licensed digital streaming service