Hearts vs Benfica prediction: teams form analysis, possible lineups on August 13, 2026
In the Europa League qualification semi-finals on August 13, 2026, Hearts and Benfica will play the second leg. The hosts will try to at least put up some resistance.
Hearts vs Benfica: Team News and Expert Analysis
The club from Edinburgh came close to a sensational result last season. However, in the final round, they lost to Celtic and handed them the Premiership title. This season, they started against Aberdeen and lost 1-2. Then they at least managed a win over Dundee United. Even earlier, the Scots were knocked out of the Champions League, losing twice to Sturm without scoring – 0-4 away and 0-2 at home.
The Lisbon giants were unbeaten in last season’s Primeira Liga. However, they still only finished third. With their new coach, Marco Silva, they managed to drop points in the opening round against Academica de Viseu, drawing 2-2. Before that, in the Europa League, after a narrow 1-2 loss to St. Gallen in Switzerland, they thrashed them at home.
In Portugal, the hosts were unstoppable, scoring three times in each half. They allowed their opponent a typical "consolation goal." Ultimately, they achieved a resounding 6-1 victory.
Previous Matches: Hearts vs Benfica
Last week’s encounter was the first-ever meeting between these teams.
Another convincing Benfica win is expected. But for now, it’s worth betting on the neutral "total over 3.0 goals scored" (odds – 1.70).
Hearts vs Benfica: Key Statistics and Trends
- Hearts lost all four official matches of the season before the last Premiership round
- The team averaged 1.76 goals scored per game and conceded half as many, 0.89, per game
- Benfica won their previous three qualification matches
- The club averaged 2.18 goals scored and conceded 0.74 goals per match
Hearts vs Benfica: Probable Starting Lineups
Hearts play in a 1-4-4-2 formation (possible lineup): Rois – Milne, Findlay, McEntee, Altena – Kiziridis, Mendy, Spittal, Miller – Claudio Braga, Kabore
Benfica play in a 1-4-2-3-1 formation (possible lineup): Soares – Dahl, Lenglet, Araujo, Bah – Barrenetxea, Barreiro – Prestianni, Sudakov, Rafa Silva – Pavlidis
Place a bet on the upcoming match and follow the team's progress in the Europa League qualification group standings
