- Benfica have won four of their last five games in all competitions, including a 5-0 home win over FC Arouca and a 3-0 victory at Vitoria Guimaraes.
- Leverkusen have won three and lost two of their last five, including a 4-2 win in extra time at SC Paderborn 07 in the DFB Pokal and a 3-0 defeat to Bayern Munich away in the Bundesliga.
Mourinho’s return to Benfica
SL Benfica are currently 35th in the UEFA Champions League 2025-2026 standings with 0 points from three games and are yet to find their form in Europe, while Bayer 04 Leverkusen are 30th with two points from their first three outings.
Wednesday’s clash is a fixture with a story as Jose Mourinho returns to Benfica, but there is no doubting that it is a crucial clash for both clubs as they seek their first win in this group. Regarding the SL Benfica vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen prediction, much will depend on whether Mourinho’s defensive tactics can blunt Leverkusen’s attack.
Benfica’s style has been pragmatic and reactive since Mourinho took over in September 2025, and they will pack their defense and attempt to frustrate Leverkusen before hitting them on the counter attack.
Leverkusen will aim to press high and win the ball back in the Benfica half; they enjoy possession and use narrow midfield overloads to force the game wide, where their wing-backs can stretch the play and accelerate vertical attacks. Our SL Benfica vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen preview focuses on how these tactical differences might lead to an open and entertaining game.
Benfica have the momentum
Benfica are in the better form of the two, having won each of their last three matches, but the SL Benfica vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen prediction is tricky as Leverkusen have shown an ability to switch the tempo and style of a match in response to the conditions and are capable of producing a result.
Enzo Barrenechea is Benfica’s top scorer in the Champions League with one goal in three appearances, while playmaker Georgiy Sudakov has provided two assists and is their standout performer.
Aleix Garcia is Leverkusen’s leading scorer in the competition with two goals in three appearances, making him the best bet to score from midfield.
For those seeking the best angle on this fixture, our SL Benfica vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen betting tips suggest keeping an eye on midfield battles and the transitions which could be decisive. Benfica are odds-on favorites at 2.03, while Leverkusen come in at 3.74, but we have to go with the home side at these prices as they have won two of their last two home matches in all competitions.
The SL Benfica vs Bayer 04 Leverkusen odds reflect how finely balanced this tie is. Leverkusen have also won two of their last three away from home and scored two in their only away trip in the Champions League, so this should be a very close and hard-fought encounter. Over 2.5 goals is a great odds at 1.76, however, and we’re going for Benfica to just nick it in a high-scoring clash of styles.
