Plzen vs Benfica Prediction

Form guide: Benfica cruising, Plzen stuttering

Over Benfica's last 20 matches they've won the vast majority of them, scoring freely while rarely conceding more than a couple. Even their defeats have mostly come as one-off results against different levels of opposition rather than part of any real slump.

Plzen: 20 completed matches; Benfica: 20 completed matches.

Plzen

20 matches

Win

30% 6 / 20

Draw

25% 5 / 20

Loss

45% 9 / 20

Scored

37

Conceded

38

Difference

-1

Benfica

20 matches

Win

80% 16 / 20

Draw

10% 2 / 20

Loss

10% 2 / 20

Scored

62

Conceded

17

Difference

+45

Plzen's record over the same stretch is far more uneven, with almost as many losses as wins and draws combined. They've shown more bite in some European nights, including wins over Crvena Zvezda, than in a lot of their domestic league matches, where they've shipped heavy numbers more than once.

Benfica's recent form looks the far more reliable guide heading into this one.

Comparative Team Statistics: Plzen vs Benfica

League phase table: contrasting starts

In this season's Europa League league phase, Benfica sit handily inside the top bracket after their opening fixtures, having scored plenty and conceded next to nothing. Plzen, by contrast, find themselves down near the foot of the standings without a point so far.

It's worth remembering we're still only two games into the league phase for both sides, so there's time for things to shift before the campaign settles.

Players and discipline

Benfica's scoring has been shared around rather than leaning on one main man, with Kamiński and Lukebakio both among the names on the scoresheet in recent matches. Kamiński has also chipped in with assists, underlining his influence in the final third.

Plzen:

Penalty cards:

P. Hrošovský x 2

Benfica:

Best scorers:

J. Kamiński - 1

D. Lukebakio - 1

Best assist providers:

J. Kamiński - 1

A. Bah - 1

Penalty cards:

V. Pavlidis x 2

L. Barreiro x 2

On the disciplinary side, Pavlidis and Barreiro have each picked up a couple of yellow cards for Benfica, while Plzen's Hrošovský has done the same in fewer appearances, something referees might keep an eye on.

How this one could play out

Put the recent form and the early table together and the picture leans one way: Benfica arriving with belief after a long run of wins, Plzen searching for anything to build on domestically and in Europe alike.

Plzen have shown they can raise their level in continental fixtures before, so this isn't a case of assuming an easy night for Benfica, even with the form gap this wide.