S.L. Benfica vs Real Madrid CF Prediction 28 January 2026

Benfica’s recent European form has been mixed. In their last five Champions League outings, the Portuguese side recorded convincing home wins over Ajax (2–0) and Napoli (2–0), but defeats against Newcastle (0–3), Bayer Leverkusen (0–1), and Juventus (0–2) ultimately ended their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage. As things stand, Mourinho’s team sit 29th in the standings with six points and a goal difference of 6–10, a return that highlights their struggles against elite opposition.

Real Madrid, by contrast, remain firmly in contention. The Spanish giants currently occupy third place with 15 points and an impressive goal difference of 19–8, leaving them with two additional matches scheduled for February. Their campaign has not been without setbacks, with narrow defeats to Liverpool (0–1) and Manchester City (1–2), but victories over Juventus (1–0), Olympiacos (4–3), and a dominant 6–1 win against Monaco underline their attacking firepower and overall quality.

A recent coaching change has injected fresh energy into the Madrid squad, resulting in a more cohesive and confident team. The balance between experience and attacking flair has begun to show, particularly in high-pressure European fixtures. Benfica, meanwhile, have struggled to maintain consistency and appear a step below the competition’s top sides this season.

Given the current form, squad depth, and European pedigree of the visitors, Real Madrid enter this clash as clear favorites. While Benfica may look to capitalize on home advantage, it is difficult to see anything other than the Galácticos asserting their superiority and taking another important step toward the latter stages of the tournament.

Real Madrid to win 1.75