The big picture

Benfica come in 1st on the ladder with 12 points; OFI Crete are 16th on 6. Benfica have the higher position to protect.

Benfica are 4–0 in UEFA Europa League 2026-27, averaging 3.3 goals for and 0.8 against.

OFI Crete are 2–2 in UEFA Europa League 2026-27, averaging 1.3 goals for and 1 against.

Form

Benfica have won four of their last five and most recently beat Lech Poznan 3–1.

OFI Crete have won two of their last four and most recently beat Hapoel Be'er 2–0.

Benfica arrive on a 4-game winning streak.

Head to head

We have no previous meeting between these two on record, so this one is a genuine first look.

Players to watch

For Benfica, watch Gianluca Prestianni (0.5 goals a game, 2 assists in 2026-27) and Vangelis Pavlidis (0.7 goals a game in 2026-27).

For OFI Crete, watch Taxiarchis Fountas (0.5 goals a game in 2026-27) and Aitor Cantalapiedra (0.3 goals a game in 2026-27).

Milestone watch

Vangelis Pavlidis is set to play game 150.

At Estádio da Luz

Benfica have won 8 of their last 20 at Estádio da Luz.

What the numbers say

On form, ladder, Benfica go in as clear favourites.