Plzen vs Benfica Prediction: Key Stats and Betting Tips

Plzen welcome Benfica to Doosan Arena in Plzen on 26 November 2026 for a UEFA Europa League League Stage Matchday 5 clash that could prove pivotal in shaping the group table. With the Czechs sitting low in the overall League Round ranking and Benfica flying near the top, this fixture looks like a classic heavyweight vs underdog contest.

Plzen are currently ranked 36th in the League Round standings with 0 points and no games yet recorded in the official table, while Benfica sit 4th, also on 0 points but with a far stronger recent record behind them. Stats from recent Europa League outings show Benfica as one of the most potent attacking sides in the competition so far, whereas Plzen are still trying to translate flashes of promise into consistency at this level.

As the League Stage moves into its decisive phase, Benfica will see this as a must-win away assignment to consolidate their position among the leading contenders. Plzen, backed by their home crowd, will aim to turn Doosan Arena into a difficult stop for one of Europe’s form sides and keep their Europa League hopes alive.

Plzen vs Benfica Key Stats

• In the official League Round standings, Plzen are 36th with 0 points, while Benfica are 4th, also on 0 points but with a much stronger recent form profile.
• There are no previous head-to-head meetings between Plzen and Benfica listed in recent UEFA Europa League data.
• In recent Europa League matches, Benfica have scored 19 goals in 6 games (3.2 per match) and conceded just 6, while Plzen have scored 5 and conceded 4 across 2 fixtures.

Plzen vs Benfica — Tale of the Tape

• Position: 36 vs 4
• Points: 0 vs 0
• Goals For: 0 vs 0
• Goals Against: 0 vs 0
• Clean Sheets: Plzen 0 (recent Europa League statistics), Benfica 1 (recent Europa League statistics)

On paper, the League Round table underlines the gulf between the sides. Plzen sit 36th, while Benfica occupy 4th place, highlighting how the Portuguese club have established themselves among the leading contenders in this Europa League campaign. Both are officially on 0 points in the raw standings snapshot, but Benfica’s higher rank reflects their superior recent results and performance metrics.

Looking at broader Europa League statistics, Benfica’s attack has been devastating: 19 goals in 6 fixtures at an average of 3.2 per game, including 14 at home and 5 away. Defensively they have allowed only 6 goals (1.0 per match) and kept 1 clean sheet. Plzen, by contrast, have played 2 recent Europa League fixtures, scoring 5 and conceding 4. Their home performance has been eye-catching in a small sample – a 5-1 win – but they also suffered a 3-0 defeat away, underlining their volatility at this level.

Plzen vs Benfica Key Matchups

Plzen collective attack vs V. Pavlidis

Plzen do not have an individual among the Europa League top scorers, so their threat is more collective, especially at home where they have already produced a 5-1 win in this campaign. However, they face one of the tournament’s standout forwards in V. Pavlidis. The Benfica attacker has 5 goals and 1 assist in just 3 Europa League appearances, placing him at the top of both the goals and assists charts. He has also picked up 1 yellow card, underlining his combative edge.

If Plzen’s defence, which has conceded 4 goals in 2 recent Europa League outings, cannot contain Pavlidis’ movement and penalty-box instincts, this matchup could decide the game. Benfica’s overall attacking average of 3.2 goals per match is heavily influenced by his output.

Plzen midfield unit vs Rafa and supporting cast

Another critical battle will be in midfield, where Plzen’s engine room must cope with Rafa and Benfica’s creative cluster. Rafa has 2 goals and 1 assist across 4 Europa League appearances, while A. Schjelderup, D. Lukebakio and J. Durán have all chipped in with 1 goal and 1 assist or 1 goal each. Midfielders such as H. Sudakov, J. Kamiński and L. Barreiro have each contributed 1 assist, showing that Benfica’s chance creation is spread across several players.

Plzen’s midfielders will need to disrupt Benfica’s rhythm and deny space between the lines. If they fail to close down Rafa and the supporting runners, Benfica’s layered attacking threats could overwhelm a Plzen side that has yet to keep a clean sheet in their recent Europa League fixtures.

Head-to-Head: Last Meetings

There are no recent head-to-head meetings between Plzen and Benfica in the available Europa League data, so this encounter at Doosan Arena will be a fresh tactical matchup between the clubs.

Plzen vs Benfica Prediction

All indicators point towards Benfica arriving in Plzen as strong favourites. Recent form heavily favours the Portuguese side: their last five Europa League games show an 87 out of 100 form index, with maximum attacking output (attack index 100) and a solid defence (76). Plzen’s last-five form index stands at 50, with a weaker attack (29) but a relatively respectable defensive index of 76.

The prediction model gives Plzen just a 10% chance of winning, with a 45% probability of a draw and 45% for a Benfica victory. That effectively frames this as a “Benfica or draw” scenario, and the advice leans towards a double chance on the visitors combined with at least two goals in the game. Plzen’s recent matches have averaged 2.5 goals for and 2.0 against per game, while Benfica’s have averaged 3.2 for and 1.0 against, reinforcing the expectation of goals at both ends or at least a multi-goal contest.

Predicted Score: Plzen 1-2 Benfica

Plzen Recent Form

Plzen’s recent Europa League form is mixed. Their League Round form string is short, but tournament statistics show 2 matches played, with 1 win and 1 loss. At home they have been impressive in a small sample, scoring 5 and conceding 1, while away they lost 3-0 and failed to score. Overall, they have found the net 5 times and conceded 4, with no clean sheets and one match where they failed to score. This underlines their capacity to score at home but also their defensive fragility.

Benfica Recent Form

Benfica come into this fixture in excellent shape. Their League Round form reads LWWDWW across recent Europa League games, with 4 wins, 1 draw and just 1 defeat in 6 matches. They have been dominant at home (3 wins from 3) and solid away (1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss). With 19 goals scored and only 6 conceded in those 6 fixtures, plus just 1 game without scoring, Benfica look balanced and dangerous. Their last-five record – 18 goals scored and 4 conceded – confirms they are one of the form sides in the competition.

Plzen Possible Starting Lineup

GK: D. Ťapaj or M. Tvrdoň; Defenders: Merchas Doski, S. Dweh, A. Gabriel, V. Jemelka; Midfielders: L. Červ, P. Hrošovský, A. Memić, C. Souaré, D. Višinský; Forwards: M. Vydra or P. Adu or B. Faal.

Plzen’s squad list suggests options in defence with experienced figures like V. Jemelka and D. Vavro, plus energy in midfield from L. Červ and P. Hrošovský. In attack, they can rotate between more established names such as M. Vydra and younger forwards like P. Adu, B. Faal or C. Kabongo. Tactically, recent Europa League statistics show Plzen alternating between 4-4-1-1 and 3-5-1-1, indicating flexibility between a back four and a back three depending on the opponent’s strength.

Benfica Possible Starting Lineup

GK: A. Trubin; Defenders: A. Bah, C. Lenglet, Tomás Araújo, S. Dahl or S. El Karouani; Midfielders: F. Aursnes, L. Barreiro, E. Barrenechea, H. Sudakov, Rafa; Forwards: V. Pavlidis, with support from D. Lukebakio, J. Durán or A. Schjelderup.

Benfica’s squad is deep and well-balanced. At the back, C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo offer aerial presence and ball-playing ability, while A. Bah provides width and has already contributed 1 assist in Europa League action. In midfield, players like F. Aursnes, L. Barreiro, E. Barrenechea and H. Sudakov give the side control and creativity, with several of them on 1 assist each. Further forward, Rafa, V. Pavlidis, D. Lukebakio, J. Durán, A. Schjelderup and G. Prestianni have all contributed goals or assists, underlining the multiple attacking options at the coach’s disposal. Benfica have mainly used 4-2-3-1 and 4-1-3-2 shapes, both of which suit their offensive depth.

Plzen Team News

No significant absences reported.

Benfica Team News

No significant absences reported.

Injuries & Suspensions

Plzen:

• None reported.

Benfica:

• None reported.

Betting Tips: Plzen vs Benfica

Below are three data-driven betting angles for this Europa League clash.

• Result Tip: Benfica Draw No Bet or Benfica Double Chance (Benfica or Draw). With win probabilities split at 10% Plzen, 45% draw and 45% Benfica, the visitors are clearly favoured not to lose. Their LWWDWW Europa League form and 19 goals in 6 matches support a safety-first angle backing Benfica on a protected market.
• Goals Tip: Over 1.5 total goals. Both sides’ recent Europa League matches have been open: Plzen games average 4.5 total goals (5 scored, 4 conceded in 2), while Benfica’s average is 4.2 (19 scored, 6 conceded in 6). The prediction advice also highlights “+1.5 goals”, making over 1.5 a logical goals-based selection.
• Value Tip: V. Pavlidis to score anytime. The Benfica forward has 5 goals and 1 assist in 3 Europa League appearances and features at the top of the goals, assists and yellow-card charts for his club. Given Plzen’s defensive record (no clean sheets and 4 goals conceded in 2 recent Europa League outings), backing Pavlidis to find the net offers strong player-based value.

Odds are accurate at the time of writing and subject to change. Please gamble responsibly.