The big picture

Benfica come in 1st on the ladder with 12 points; AZ Alkmaar are 14th 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.

AZ Alkmaar are 2–2 in UEFA Europa League 2026-27, averaging 1.8 goals for and 1 against.

Form

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

AZ Alkmaar have won one of their last five and most recently lost to Juventus 1–2.

Benfica arrive on a 4-game winning streak.

AZ Alkmaar have lost their last three.

Head to head

These sides have met 2 times on our records since 2014: Benfica 2, AZ Alkmaar 0.

Last time out (2013-14, 2nd Leg - Benfica win 3-0 on aggregate), Benfica won 2–0 at Estádio da Luz.

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 AZ Alkmaar, watch Mexx Meerdink (0.8 goals a game in 2026-27) and Weslley Patati (0.7 goals a game, 1 assist 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 and history, Benfica go in as clear favourites.