Plzen vs Benfica Predicted Lineups: Team News Ahead of UEFA Europa League

Plzen welcome Benfica to Doosan Arena in a key UEFA Europa League League Stage – 5 clash, with both sides looking to strengthen their position in the overall league round table. Plzen are currently listed 36th in the League Round phase with 0 points and no games yet recorded in the standings, while Benfica sit much higher at 4th, also on 0 points but with far stronger underlying form and attacking numbers coming into Europe.

Even at this early stage of the league phase, the fixture carries weight: Benfica’s domestic and continental form suggests they will be targeting a high finish in the League Round, while Plzen will see home advantage in Plzen as their best chance to upset one of the competition’s stronger attacks. With no official lineups available yet, attention turns to predicted lineups and expected starting XIs based on squad lists, recent formations and key performers.

Stats from recent matches show Plzen alternating results (form string “WL” in Europa-related play), whereas Benfica arrive with an impressive “WWDWW” league form line and an even broader “LWWDWW” run across their latest fixtures. That contrast in momentum, combined with Benfica’s prolific scoring record, frames the tactical narrative and shapes our predicted lineups today.

Plzen Team News & Expected Lineups Today

There are no registered injuries or suspensions for Plzen in the available data, so they are expected to have a full squad to choose from. With no significant absences reported, the focus will be on how the coach balances a compact defensive setup with enough attacking threat to trouble a Benfica side that has been scoring freely in recent Europa League outings.

Plzen’s early European form has been mixed, with a strong home win offset by a heavier defeat away. That pattern suggests they may lean towards a conservative but flexible structure, tightening the back line and using energetic midfielders and quick forwards to break in transition. Given the strength of Benfica’s attack, the expected approach is to stay compact, protect central spaces, and rely on a direct outlet up front.

Plzen Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

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

This predicted lineup leans on experience and physicality in key areas. D. Ťapaj is expected to start in goal, with a back line built around the senior presence of D. Vavro and the versatile Merchas Doski. S. Dweh and A. Gabriel add height and aggression, giving Plzen a chance to cope with Benfica’s aerial threat and set-piece routines.

In midfield, L. Červ and P. Hrošovský provide balance and control, with Hrošovský’s experience crucial in managing Benfica’s press. T. Ladra and C. Souaré can operate as hard-working wide or half-space players, helping double up on Benfica’s creative midfielders and wide forwards. D. Višinský offers legs and vertical running from deeper areas, supporting both phases of play.

Up front, M. Vydra is the natural focal point in this expected starting lineup. His movement between the lines and ability to hold the ball can help Plzen relieve pressure and bring the second line of runners into play. With no Plzen player appearing among the Europa League top scorers or top assists lists so far, the emphasis will likely be on collective organisation rather than individual star power.

Benfica Team News & Expected Lineups Today

Benfica also arrive without any officially listed injuries or suspensions, so they are projected to have their full Europa League squad available. With no significant absences reported, the main question is how they rotate within a busy schedule while still fielding a strong enough XI to control the game in Plzen. Given their recent “LWWDWW” run and a potent attack that has delivered 19 goals across their last 6 fixtures, the expected lineup today should remain heavily tilted towards offensive quality.

Benfica’s lineups today in Europe have typically featured an attacking-minded shape. Their recent Europa League patterns show them using structures built around a clear central striker, supported by dynamic attacking midfielders and wingers. With an outstanding last-five attacking index and multiple players among the competition’s top scorers and assist providers, they are likely to dominate possession and push Plzen back for long stretches.

Benfica Predicted Lineups & Starting Lineup

Predicted Starting XI:
GK: A. Trubin
DF: A. Bah, C. Lenglet, Tomás Araújo, S. El Karouani
MF: Joāo Palhinha, L. Barreiro, H. Sudakov, J. Kamiński, Rafa
FW: V. Pavlidis

This predicted lineup is built around Benfica’s known Europa League standouts. In goal, A. Trubin is the logical first choice, protected by a back four featuring A. Bah and S. El Karouani in the full-back roles, with C. Lenglet and Tomás Araújo as the central pairing. Lenglet and Araújo have both contributed on the scoresheet in Europe, underlining their threat on set pieces and their importance in building from the back.

In midfield, Joāo Palhinha offers ball-winning and positional discipline, while L. Barreiro and H. Sudakov add mobility and progressive passing. Sudakov and Barreiro have both registered assists in the competition, and their ability to link phases will be vital in sustaining pressure in Plzen’s half. J. Kamiński brings width and creativity from midfield areas, also featuring among the top assist contributors.

Ahead of them, Rafa is one of the key creative and scoring outlets, already on 2 goals and 1 assist in the Europa League. His capacity to drift into pockets and combine with the striker makes him central to Benfica’s chance creation. Leading the line, V. Pavlidis is the standout figure of Benfica’s campaign so far: 5 goals and 1 assist place him at the very top of the competition’s scoring and assist charts, and he also appears among the leading yellow-card recipients, reflecting his combative style. With this structure, Benfica’s expected starting lineup is clearly configured to control territory and generate a high volume of chances.

Injuries and Suspended Players Impact

With no injuries or suspensions recorded for either side, the match is shaped more by tactical choices and form than by enforced absences. Both coaches can select from their full squads, which should raise the overall quality of the contest and make the predicted lineups particularly informative for understanding the likely game pattern.

Plzen Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Benfica Absences:

• No significant absences reported.

Tactical Analysis: How the Lineups Match Up

The tactical battle is likely to revolve around whether Plzen’s defensive structure can absorb Benfica’s sustained attacking pressure. Plzen’s recent Europa outings show they can score at home but are vulnerable away; here, at Doosan Arena, they are expected to sit in a compact block, with a back four shielded by two hard-working central midfielders. Players such as L. Červ and P. Hrošovský will be tasked with screening passes into V. Pavlidis and Rafa, while the full-backs Merchas Doski and D. Vavro (from the defensive group) must manage Benfica’s wide threats and overlapping runs from A. Bah and S. El Karouani.

Benfica, by contrast, will look to impose themselves from the first whistle. Their league statistics show 19 goals scored across six recent fixtures, with scoring threats spread across multiple forwards and defenders. V. Pavlidis is the primary finisher, but support from Rafa, D. Lukebakio, A. Schjelderup, J. Durán, G. Prestianni and creative midfielders like H. Sudakov and J. Kamiński means Plzen cannot focus on a single danger man. Benfica’s comparison indices underline their superiority: they lead the overall comparison index 59.8 to 40.3, and the form index is heavily in their favour at 81 versus 19. The Poisson index also tilts towards Benfica’s attack, with a 70 to 30 edge for the home/away distribution, suggesting they are more likely to generate the higher-quality chances over 90 minutes.

Key matchups will include Plzen’s central defenders against V. Pavlidis’ movement in the box, and the midfield duels where Joāo Palhinha, L. Barreiro and H. Sudakov will try to pin Plzen back and win second balls. If Plzen’s predicted front line, spearheaded by M. Vydra, cannot hold the ball and relieve pressure, the game could become a one-way contest in terms of territory. However, Plzen’s ability to score in bursts, as shown by their 5-1 home win in recent competition play, means Benfica’s back line cannot switch off, particularly against counter-attacks and set pieces.

Match Prediction and Verdict

All available indicators point towards Benfica having the upper hand. Their recent attacking numbers, deeper squad of proven Europa League performers and stronger form index give them a clear edge, even away from home. The official prediction model gives Benfica a 45% chance of victory, with a 45% probability of a draw and only 10% for a Plzen win, underlining how difficult it will be for the hosts to take all three points.

While the goals projections are presented in a non-standard format, the advice leans towards a match with at least two goals and a strong expectation that Benfica avoid defeat (“Win or draw” with a recommendation of double chance draw or Benfica and over 1.5 goals). Given Plzen’s capacity to score at home and Benfica’s firepower, a competitive but ultimately controlled away performance from Benfica feels the most likely scenario.

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: To be confirmed by local broadcasters
• UK: To be confirmed by local broadcasters
• USA / North America: To be confirmed by regional sports networks or streaming platforms
• South America: To be confirmed by continental sports broadcasters
• MENA: To be confirmed by regional sports channels