Home / Football Betting Tips & Predictions / Champions League Betting Tips & Predictions Real Madrid v Benfica: Line-ups, stats and preview ahead of Champions League clash Real Madrid host Benfica tomorrow night in the second leg of their Champions League play-off. Read our in-depth preview here... Written by Jon Fisher Last Update: February 24, 2026 12:52:39 pm GMT 4 min read Table of Contents1 Match Preview for Real Madrid v Benfica2 Team News for Real Madrid v Benfica3 Predicted line-ups for Real Madrid v Benfica4 How to watch Real Madrid v Benfica: TV and streaming options5 Stats for Real Madrid v Benfica6 What To Do If You Have A Gambling ProblemMatch Preview for Real Madrid v BenficaReal Madrid edged a highly competitive first leg of their Champions League play-off with Benfica last week but that only told half the story.Madrid won 1-0 thanks to a brilliant goal from Vinicius Jr. Shortly after, the Brazil winger claimed he was racially abused by Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni.Prestianni has maintained his innocence throughout but that did not stop him receiving a one-game provisional suspension from UEFA while a deeper investigation is carried out.Benfica boss Jose Mourinho, who was widely criticised for his post-match remarks that appeared to suggest Vinicius Jr had incited the crowd at the Estadio Da Luz, will also have a limited role on his return to the Santiago Bernabeu after being shown a red card in the first game.Prestiannis absence from the squad will help diffuse what threatened to be a white-hot atmosphere, although the Argentine has still travelled with the Benfica party to Madrid and it remains to be seen where he will watch the game.It is unlikely he will be at the stadium, meaning the focus can return to onfield matters and the latest instalment of what has been a fascinating, drama-fueled trilogy of games over the past month.The first encounter was on the final matchday of the league phase, Benfica winning 4-2 with goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scoring a stunning last-gasp header to push the Eagles into the playoffs.Then came round two, won by Madrid but a game overshadowed by the incident involving Prestianni and Vinicius Jr.So, what will round three hold?Madrid come into the game on the back of a 2-1 defeat at Osasuna a result that saw them relinquish top spot in La Liga to arch rivals Barcelona and with star man Kylian Mbappe going through an uncharacteristic slump.The suggestion is the Frenchman is being hampered by a knee injury but boss Alvaro Arbeloa needs him to regain his top form and quickly.Benfica enjoyed a 3-0 win over AVS at the weekend but still sit third in the Primeira Liga behind traditional rivals Sporting CP and Porto.Team News for Real Madrid v BenficaDean Huijsen missed training today and wont feature tomorrow night. The Spain centre-half joins Jude Bellingham, Eder Militao and Dani Ceballos on the injured list. Rodrygo is suspended.Antonio Rudiger is set to return to the back four.Joao Veloso is missing through injury for Benfica but Prestianni is their main absentee. Dodi Lukebakio is likely to replace him on the left side of the visitors attack.Predicted line-ups for Real Madrid v BenficaReal Madrid: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Asencio, Carreras; Tchouameni, Camavinga, Valverde; Guler, Vinicius Jr, MbappeBenfica: Trubin; Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl; Rios, Aursnes; Lukebakio, Rafa, Schjelderup; PavlidisHow to watch Real Madrid v Benfica: TV and streaming optionsReal Madrid versus Benfica kicks off tomorrow night at 8pm UK time. You can watch it on TNT Sports and stream via the discovery+ app.To watch elsewhere in the world, clickHEREto find your local rights holder.Stats for Real Madrid v BenficaReal Madrid have progressed from 22 of their last 23 Champions League knockout ties when they have won the first legBenfica have progressed through just one of their eight previous knockout ties in major European competition when losing the first leg at homeBenfica have lost six of their last eight games against Spanish opposition Real Madrid 1 0 Benfica The evidence of the previous two games this season suggests this is going to be another tight encounter.Madrid are not at their free-flowing best at the moment while Benfica lack the star names of their hosts.Discipline will also be key. With tensions still running high after last week, keeping 11 men on the field will be important.We fancy Madrid to edge it with Mbappe making the difference. Bet Here What To Do If You Have A Gambling ProblemWe understand that gambling can be fun, but it is always important to gamble responsibly. If you are struggling with a gambling problem, please do not hesitate to ask for help. There are people who can help you get on the road to recovery. Below, we have listed some helpful resources to help aid you on the road to recovery. GambleAware:www.gambleaware.comNational Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133GamCare:www.gamcare.org.uk Topics: Real Madrid CF S.L. Benfica Follow us: Jon Fisher Jon has over 20 years' experience in sports journalism having worked at the Press Association, Goal and Stats Perform, covering three World Cups, an Olympics and numerous other major sporting events. Read more from Jon Fisher
