Benfica vs Aarhus prediction: teams form analysis, possible lineups on August 20, 2026
In the Europa League qualification final on August 20, 2026, Benfica and Aarhus will play their first match. Even a draw would be seen as a failure for the ambitious home side.
Benfica vs Aarhus: Team News and Expert Analysis
The Lisbon giants claimed the national Super Cup a year ago. However, despite not losing a single game in the Primeira Liga, they only finished third, trailing Sporting and Porto. This season, they also started with a draw against newly promoted Academico de Viseu. Aarhus won the national championship after a 40-year hiatus. But in the Superliga, they are yet to win: two draws and a defeat to Viborg so far.
The Portuguese side hasn’t looked very convincing away in qualification games. They began with a 1-2 loss at St. Gallen, but then crushed the Swiss side 5-0 at home. Against Hearts, it was the opposite: they started with a 6-1 win at home, but only managed a draw in Scotland.
The Danes made it past Lech in the Champions League in sensational fashion. After losing 1-4 at home, they staged a comeback in Poznan, winning 3-0 and advancing on penalties. But against Sabah, it was the reverse: after a 2-1 home victory, they suffered a heavy 0-4 defeat in Azerbaijan. The hosts couldn’t score for an hour, but then the visitors collapsed.
Previous meetings: Benfica vs Aarhus
The clubs met in the Champions League back in 1987. After a goalless draw away, the Portuguese side won 1-0 at home to progress to the next round.
Based on both teams’ European performances this summer, Marco Silva’s side should settle everything at home—we expect their victory with a "-1.5 goals" handicap (odds – 1.61).
Benfica vs Aarhus: Key Statistics and Trends
- Benfica have won two of their four qualification matches
- The team has scored an average of 2.18 goals per game while conceding 0.74
- Aarhus have two wins and two losses in the Champions League
- The team averages 1.94 goals scored and concedes one per match
Benfica vs Aarhus: Possible Starting Line-ups
Benfica lines up in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible squad): Soares – Neto, Lenglet, Silva, Dedic – Barrenetxea, Rios – Schjelderup, Sudakov, Lukebakio – Duran
Aarhus plays a 1-3-1-4-2 scheme (possible squad): Kristiansen – Kahl, Resler, Andersen – Jonsson – Arnstad, Knudsen, Links, Carstensen – Bogere, Bech
Place a bet on the upcoming match and follow the team's performance in the Europa League qualification table
