Preview: Benfica Women vs Arsenal Women – prediction, team news, lineups

Arsenal Women will continue their defense of their Women’s Champions League title when they travel to Portugal for Thursday’s meeting with Benfica Women.

The Gunners started the main draw with a narrow defeat against Lyon, while Benfica narrowly lost in their away clash against Juventus.

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After falling out of the qualifying stage in the 2024-25 competition, Benfica would have been relieved to secure automatic qualification for the inaugural stage of the league thanks to their Liga BPI title victory last season.

The Portuguese giants began their latest European adventure with a trip to Turin, where Lucy Alves scored a first match against Juventus, reigning Italian champions.

However, Alves saw his effort canceled out by Cécilia Salvaïbefore the Juventus defender grabbed her second goal of the match in the 86th minute, condemning Benfica to a 2-1 defeat at the Allianz Stadium.

Ivan Baptista’s men bounced back with a resounding 4-1 victory in Sunday’s championship clash against Valadares Gaia, leaving them tied on 10 points with Sporting Lisbon at the top of the table.

Benfica will be wary as they face a much tougher test on Thursday, although they may be keen to trouble the scorers having scored in four of their five competitive matches this season.

They will also be confident of the fact that they have not lost a competitive home match since losing 2-0 to Hammarby in the UWCL qualifier in September 2024.

Arsenal are reigning European champions after beating three-time winners Barcelona in the final in May in Portugal.

The Gunners began their defense of their European title with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to record winners Lyon, despite taking a lead through Alessia Russo at Meadow Park.

The result extended Arsenal’s winless run to four games in all competitions, so they would have been relieved to get back to winning ways in Sunday’s Women’s Super League encounter against Brighton & Hove Albion.

A Marisa Olislagers The own goal proved enough to seal a narrow 1-0 victory, although the fifth-placed Gunners remain five points behind leaders Chelsea.

Arsenal will now be fully focused on their final match before the international break, with Thursday’s visitors looking to secure their first away win since their 5-1 win over West Ham United on September 12.

Not only will they be aiming for all three points in Portugal, but Renee Slegers’ side will also be looking to record consecutive clean sheets for the first time since March, when they had a run of four successive shutouts.

Benfica Women’s Champions League form:

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Benfica Women’s Form (all competitions):

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Arsenal Women’s Champions League form:

L

Arsenal Women Form (all competitions):

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Team News

Benfica striker Nycole Raysla is unavailable for selection after being stretchered off during Sunday’s league win over Valadares Gaia.

Cristina Martin-Prieto replaced the Brazilian in the first half and she is now set to return to the starting line-up for the encounter with Arsenal.

Central defender Carole Costa may have come off the bench to score a brace this weekend, but she will focus on her defensive duties when she lines up in a backline that could feature Catarina Amado, Christy Ucheibe and Marit Lund.

Meanwhile, Arsenal remain without the services of a key defender Lea Williamsonwho has not played since injuring her knee at Euro 2025.

Katie Reidwho earned his first call-up to England, should retain his place in defense with Steph Catley, Emilie Renard And Katie McCabe.

Beth Mead And Chloe Kelly could come to Sleger’s mind if the Arsenal manager decides to change his attacking options for the trip to Portugal.

Benfica Women possible starting lineup:

Paul; Amado, Ucheibe, Costa, Lund; Cameirao, Gasper; Sousa Alves, Moller, Silva; Martin Prieto

Arsenal Women possible starting XI:

Van Domselaar; Fox, Reid, Catley, McCabe; Maanum, Petit, Caldentey; Mead, Kelly, Russo

We say: Benfica Women 0-2 Arsenal Women

Arsenal have been unconvincing of late, but would have gained some confidence after Sunday’s win over Brighton, and as UWCL holders we believe they will have the quality required to claim a relatively comfortable victory against Benfica.

For data analysis of most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match, please click here.

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