Having secured a 1-0 win away from home in the first leg, Real Madrid will be looking to get the job done and book a place in the round of 16 when they welcome SL Benfica to the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
After losing their final league phase game to Benfica and losing an automatic slot in the last 16, Los Blancos bounced back to secure a win in the first leg. However, they were far from convincing on the night, and a slender one-goal lead means the hosts need to be at their absolute best to go past the Portuguese outfit.
The Merengues have been very inconsistent this season. Not only did they give up an automatic spot in the last 16, but Real Madrid have already given up a lead at the top of La Liga on multiple occasions this season. Alvaro Arbeloa’s men are heading into this fixture on the back of a disappointing 2-1 defeat at the hands of Osasuna.
Following that defeat, Real Madrid are now a point behind Barcelona in the title race, just a week after taking a two-point lead at the top. Arbeloa will be under a lot of pressure to get it right in this fixture, as a defeat here could be a massive blow to their season.
Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho’s side did wonders on the final day of the league phase, as they stunned Real Madrid 4-2 to make it to the play-offs. While the away side did suffer a 1-0 defeat at home in the first leg, they did frustrate the Spanish giants a lot.
The Portuguese tactician will hope his team manages to keep things tight at the back in front of the Bernabeu crowd, and his forwards make the most out of the limited chances they will be getting. The Primeira Liga outfit are heading into this fixture on the back of an impressive 3-0 win over AVS.
Having already defeated Real Madrid once, Benfica will be optimistic about causing an upset and knocking out the record winners of the competition. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Alvaro Arbeloa’s squad will remain without the services of Jude Bellingham (hamstring), Eder Militao (hamstring), and Dani Ceballos (calf). Meanwhile, Dean Huijsen, who missed the Osasuna clash, remains a major doubt. Rodrygo, who has been battling with a hamstring issue of his own, is suspended for this fixture.
Los Blancos will line up in a 4-4-2 formation, where Thibaut Courtois will be in goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold should return to the starting XI. The former Liverpool star and Alvaro Carreras are expected to be the full-backs. In the heart of the defence, Raul Asencio could partner with Antonio Rudiger.
As for the midfield unit, Federico Valverde and Arda Guler will feature out wide on the flanks in the middle of the putch. They will look to contribute on both ends of the pitch. Meanwhile, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni will take charge in a more central role. The duo will look to control the tempo of the game. Finally, Kylian Mbappe will partner with the in-form Vinicius Junior.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Rudiger, Carreras; Valverde, Camavinga, Tchouameni, Guler; Mbappe, Vinicius Junior
Gianluca Prestianni has been suspended for this fixture by UEFA as investigations continue into allegations of racial abuse directed at Vinicius Junior. Apart from the youngster, Jose Mourinho will also be without the services of Joao Veloso, who is struggling with a shoulder issue.
Benfica will stick to the 4-2-3-1 formation, where Anatoliy Trubin will take charge in goal. Amar Dedic and Samuel Dahl will be the full-backs for the visitors, while Nicolas Otamendi will partner with Tomas Araujo in central defence.
As for the midfield unit, Fredrik Aursnes and Richard Rios will form the double pivot in the centre of the park. The duo will look to shield the backline and create opportunities to hit Real Madrid on the break.
Rafa Silva will feature as the attacking midfielder, while Dodi Lukebakio and Andreas Schjelderup will take charge on the flanks, providing width to their attacks. Finally, Vangelis Pavlidis will continue to lead the line for Benfica against Real Madrid this weekend.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Trubin; Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl; Rios, Aursnes; Lukebakio, Rafa, Schjelderup; Pavlidis
Vinicius Junior will look to put the incident from the first leg behind him and focus on helping his team secure a spot in the last 16. The 25-year-old bagged an exceptional goal last time out against Benfica, and having bagged a goal in each of his last four outings, he will be looking to extend that streak.
While the Brazilian international did not have the best of a start to the season, he has certainly picked up the pace since the start of 2026. Vinicius has 12 goals and 11 assists in his 36 outings, and it won’t be much of a surprise if he ends up adding to it.
With a narrow advantage from the first leg, Real Madrid will look to manage the game with greater control at the Santiago Bernabeu. Despite their recent inconsistencies, Los Blancos tend to grow into knockout ties on home soil, and the presence of match-winners in attack should help them edge proceedings.
That said, Benfica have already shown they can trouble Madrid and they will not arrive merely to defend. Jose Mourinho’s side are likely to stay compact and look to exploit moments on the break, but over two legs, Real Madrid’s experience and composure in decisive moments should see them do just enough to book their place in the round of 16. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for the home team.
