BETTING GUIDE: Benfica Women Vs Arsenal Women, Match Preview, Team News and Betting tip
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Reading Time: 4min | Thu. 16.10.25. | 08:55
As reigning European champions, the Gunners' experience on the continental stage could prove to be the decisive factor in a tightly contested fixture.
Arsenal Women will continue the defence of their UEFA Women’s Champions League crown with a trip to Portugal to face Benfica Women on Thursday evening.
Both teams head into matchday two of the new league-format UWCL campaign searching for their first points, having suffered narrow defeats in their opening fixtures.
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The Gunners, champions of Europe after a memorable victory over Barcelona in the final last season, began their title defence with a 2-1 home loss to Olympique Lyon.
Despite taking an early lead through Alessia Russo, Arsenal were undone by two quickfire goals from the French side.
The result was a continuation of a mixed start to the 2025–26 campaign, in which Renee Slegers’ side have struggled for consistency.
Benfica, on the other hand, also came up short in their opener.
The Portuguese champions travelled to Turin to face Juventus and took an early lead through Lucia Alves.
Juventus responded through Cecilia Salvai, who later added a second to hand Benfica a 2-1 defeat. Still, the Eagles can take some positives from their overall display and the fact that they were competitive for large spells of the match.
After securing the Liga BPI title last season, Benfica entered the Champions League group stage directly and remain a growing force in Portuguese women’s football.
Domestically, Ivan Baptista’s side are flying high - unbeaten in four league games this season (W3 D1), and currently level on points with rivals Sporting Lisbon at the top of the standings.
Their most recent outing was a commanding 4-1 win over Valadares Gaia, a game in which they showed their attacking intent and depth.
Their home form has also been impressive.
Since their 2-0 defeat to Hammarby in UWCL qualifying back in September 2024, Benfica have not lost a competitive home match - a record they’ll be keen to protect against the defending European champions.
However, they’ll have to do so without Brazilian forward Nycole Raysla, who was stretchered off in the win over Valadares.
In her absence, Cristina Martin-Prieto is expected to start up front. Carole Costa - who came off the bench to score twice at the weekend - is set to anchor the defence, alongside Catarina Amado, Christy Ucheibe, and Marit Lund.
Benfica will likely line up in a familiar 4-1-2-3 shape, using width and midfield control to try and unsettle an Arsenal side that has shown some vulnerability this season.
Despite being the reigning European champions, Arsenal have had an uneven start to the new campaign.
With only three wins from their last seven matches in all competitions (W3 D2 L2), the Gunners have not looked their sharpest. In their most recent Women’s Super League match, however, they edged Brighton 1-0 - a result that may help restore confidence ahead of a vital European clash.
Defensively, Arsenal have not kept back-to-back clean sheets since March, but they’ll be hoping to change that in Portugal. T
hey remain without key centre-back Leah Williamson, who is still recovering from a knee injury sustained during Euro 2025.
In her absence, young defender Katie Reid is expected to keep her spot, partnering with Emily Fox, Steph Catley, and Katie McCabe in the back four.
Further upfield, Slegers has options to refresh her attack. Beth Mead and Chloe Kelly are in contention for starts, while Russo will likely continue to lead the line.
The Gunners will aim to control midfield and exploit Benfica’s defensive gaps with their high-tempo wing play.
This fixture pits Benfica’s strong home form and fluid attack against Arsenal’s superior squad depth and European pedigree.
Benfica have averaged over 3 goals per game in their last six matches, showing a clear attacking mindset.
However, they’ve also conceded in four of those games, which could be problematic against a side with as much attacking quality as Arsenal.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have struggled for goals lately - but their quality in build-up play and ability to dominate possession should see them create chances against Benfica’s high backline.
With both sides already trailing in the league standings, this fixture carries extra weight. A second defeat could significantly damage either team’s qualification hopes, making this a must-not-lose encounter.
Key Pointers
This is the first-ever meeting between these teams.
Benfica have won three of their last four matches.
Arsenal have won just one of their last five matches.
This will be the first-ever competitive encounter between Benfica Women and Arsenal Women, adding an extra layer of intrigue to Thursday’s UEFA Women’s Champions League clash.
Benfica come into the match in strong domestic form, having won three of their last four games while scoring 19 goals and conceding just three.
Arsenal, by contrast, have been inconsistent, with only two wins in their last six matches across all competitions.
However, as reigning European champions, the Gunners' experience on the continental stage could prove to be the decisive factor in a tightly contested fixture.
Benfica will not make it easy, especially at home, but Arsenal’s experience in high-stakes matches should see them through.
Expect the Gunners to control possession and eventually find openings, even if it takes time. Benfica have enough quality to trouble Arsenal’s defence, but even a slight loose of concentration or defensive gaps may prove costly over 90 minutes.
Prediction: Arsenal Women Win
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