Ahead of Benfica vs Arsenal on Thursday night, read our preview, prediction and the latest team news before the second Champions League matchday.
Benfica vs Arsenal match information
- ⚽️ Champions League matchday 1: Benfica vs Arsenal
- 🏟️ Estádio da Luz
- ⏱️ Thursday, October 16th: 20:00pm (BST) – Disney +
Benfica vs Arsenal preview
Arsenal’s opponents for Thursday night could represent a serious threat.
Benfica have won the Campeonato Nacional every year since they were promoted to the top flight in 2019, but this week’s opposition will be a completely different prospect to the teams in their league.
The Portuguese side did lose to Juventus in their first Champions League group game but they went toe to toe with the Italians right until the final whistle.
Arsenal kicked off their Champions League journey with a close loss against Lyon last week.
Full time at Meadow Park. pic.twitter.com/TQFdvTC93R
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) October 7, 2025
The French side prevailed at Meadow Park in a game that Arsenal were dominated in from start to finish.
After not winning four games in a row, the Gunners got back to winning ways on Sunday in a 1-0 win over Brighton.
Renee Slegers has been critical of her team during a difficult month, but the manager till has faith in her side.
As the defending champions Arsenal are fancied to go far in the Champions League this season but they will need to turn their form around in Europe fast if they are to advance from the league phase.
Although they have never faced Benfica before, Arsenal will be confident they can get a win on Thursday and get their title defence back on track.
Benfica vs Arsenal Form
Benfica last five matches
- Valadares 1-4 Benfica (Campeonato Nacional)
- Juventus 2-1 Benfica (Champions League)
- Benfica 8-0 Damaiense (Campeonato Nacional)
- Vitoria 1-5 Benfica (Campeonato Nacional)
- Benfica 0-0 Racing Almada (Campeonato Nacional)
Arsenal last five matches
- Arsenal 1-0 Brighton (WSL)
- Arsenal 1-2 Lyon (Women’s Champions League)
- Manchester City 3-2 Arsenal (WSL)
- Arsenal 1-1 Aston Villa (WSL)
- Manchester United 0-0 Arsenal (WSL)
Arsenal team news
There will be no Leah Williamson again for Arsenal this week, as the captain continues to recover from a knee injury.
Other than Williamson Arsenal have no fresh injury concerns and they could start a very similar team to the one that beat Brighton last weekend.
Both Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly are pushing for a start against Benfica and Olivia Smith could be the one sacrificed in their place.
Predicted lineups
Benfica: Pauels; Amado, Ucheibe, Costa, Lund; Cameirao, Gasper; Sousa Alves, Moller, Silva; Martin-Prieto
Arsenal: Van Domselaar; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Catley, McCabe; Pelova, Caldentey; Mead, Maanum, Foord; Russo
Benfica vs Arsenal prediction
While Benfica have been good of late, their loss to Juventus in the Champions League was a reality check in Europe’s top competition and they could struggle against the reining champs.
Here at SheKicks, we are backing Arsenal to get their first win of the Champions League campaign.
Benfica may find a way through the Gunners’ resilient defence but it would be a major shock if they were to lose.
Prediction: Benfica 1-3 Arsenal
