Champions League Preview: Betting Odds and Team Form for Benfica vs Real Madrid
The first leg of this UEFA Champions League 2025/26 round of 16 tie kicks off at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon on February 17, 2026. Both historic clubs harbor serious ambitions for European glory this season. Bookmakers' odds, however, suggest Real Madrid enters the match as the favorite.
As of 10:55 AM on February 16, 2026, the odds for a Real Madrid win are 1.91, while a Benfica victory is priced at 3.78. A draw is listed at 4.14. The odds for both teams to score are set at 1.56. Regarding progression to the quarter-finals, Benfica's odds are 4.10, whereas Real Madrid are heavy favorites at 1.25.
Recent Form of Both Sides
The two teams approach this clash in contrasting form. In a January league meeting in Lisbon, Benfica secured a 4-2 victory over Real, with Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scoring a dramatic goal in the 98th minute. Since then, Benfica has played three Portuguese league matches, drawing with Tondela and securing 2-1 wins over Alverca and Santa Clara, with goals from Schjelderup, Cabral, and Pavlidis.
Real Madrid, conversely, has won all three of its La Liga games since that defeat, beating Rayo Vallecano (2-1), Valencia (2-0), and Real Sociedad (4-1). Forward Vinícius Júnior scored three times across those fixtures. However, Real will be without Rodrigo and Raúl Asensio due to suspension, and Militao and Bellingham are sidelined with injuries.
Benfica also faces squad issues, with goalkeeper Soares and defender Bah ruled out through injury. The two clubs share a rich European history, having met on four previous occasions. In the 1965 European Cup quarter-finals, Benfica won 5-1 at home but lost 2-1 away. Most famously, Benfica defeated Real Madrid 5-3 in the 1962 European Cup final in Amsterdam to claim the title.
The match will be broadcast on the Megogo media service, with the online stream starting at 22:00 Kyiv time. This fixture promises high drama, given the historical context and the current circumstances surrounding both squads.
This Champions League encounter is a significant moment for two of Europe's most decorated clubs. Benfica, buoyed by a recent win, aims to prove its strength, while a depleted Real Madrid side seeks redemption. The outcome will be crucial in shaping the narrative of this season's knockout stages and determining which team advances closer to the trophy.