Benfica will look to remain perfect in this season’s UEFA Europa League (UEL) league phase as a winless Lech Poznań side make the long trip to Lisbon.
Match News and Current Form
Benfica return to UEL action sat top of the league phase standings after three matchdays, having won each of their opening games so far while netting ten goals in the process. It’s the first time that the Eagles have ever won each of their opening three group/league phase matches in any major European competition, and after thrashing Omonia 4-1 on matchday three, they return home looking to stretch that run yet further. Benfica have won each of their four European outings at Estádio da Luz this term, scoring 4.5 goals per game on average, and another win would all but secure a place in the play-off round even at this early stage.
With just one point from a possible nine so far, it’s proven to be a very different experience for Lech Poznań in this season’s UEL. With only one side conceding more than their nine goals in the first three matchdays - four of which came in their only away game of this league phase - it’s clear where the visitors’ issues lie. That looks unlikely to change here either as the Railwaymen have failed to keep a single clean sheet across their last seven away outings in all competitions, while they’re without a win in five UEL proper away fixtures (D1, L4), a run that’s seen them score just once!
Head-to-Head History
This is the third meeting between Benfica and Lech Poznań in major European competition, with the Portuguese side winning the previous two meetings by a combined 8-2 scoreline in 2020/21.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Six of Benfica’s last seven European matches saw both sides score.
Only two sides registered more shots on target across the first three UEL matchdays than Benfica (21).
Lech Poznań have conceded a pre-round competition-high seven unanswered goals before half-time this season.
Lech Poznań have conceded exactly four goals in three of their last five UEL matches.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni has scored four European goals this season, while eight of his ten in any competition this term came after half-time. Yannick Agnero netted his fifth goal of the season at the weekend, with Lech now winning all ten of his scoring appearances.
Benfica’s Dodi Lukébakio was forced off at the weekend, while Wojciech Mońka and Allahyar Sayyadmanesh remain missing for Lech.
For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.
Betting Analysis
Benfica’s stellar European home form means that backing them to win and score over 2.5 goals makes sense.
Author: Nathan Evans