{"id":1434324,"date":"2026-02-23T12:37:53","date_gmt":"2026-02-23T12:37:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=news&#038;p=1434324"},"modified":"2026-02-23T12:37:55","modified_gmt":"2026-02-23T12:37:55","slug":"match-preview-real-madrid-vs-benfica-25-02-26-champions-league","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/match-preview-real-madrid-vs-benfica-25-02-26-champions-league\/","title":{"rendered":"Real Madrid vs Benfica: predictions, stats, tips &#038; odds"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>With both teams having claimed a win apiece in their recent head-to-heads, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/real-madrid\/\">Real Madrid<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/benfica\/\">Benfica<\/a> meet in a finely poised <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/champions-league-tips\/\">UEFA Champions League<\/a> clash at the Santiago Bernab\u00e9u. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Kick-off is set for 20:00 on Wednesday, 25 February, and the storyline is shaped by Madrid\u2019s clinical attacking edge and Benfica\u2019s search for improved efficiency in the final third.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-best-bets-amp-predictions\">Best Bets &amp; Predictions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Based on Real Madrid\u2019s finishing prowess and Benfica\u2019s struggles to convert their chances, here are our top betting recommendations for this match. We\u2019re particularly confident in a home win due to Madrid\u2019s superior goal conversion and attacking threat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\">\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Our Prediction<\/th>\n<th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Odds &amp; Bookmaker<\/th>\n<th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Confidence<\/th>\n<th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Why We&#8217;re Backing It<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Real Madrid to Win<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"\/en\/go\/bet365?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\">4\/9 @ Bet365<\/a><br>(69.2%)<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Madrid have outperformed their expected goals (22 scored from 16.96 xG), indicating clinical finishing. Benfica, by contrast, have underperformed (15 from 20.05 xG). At home, Madrid\u2019s ball retention and pass accuracy (88%) give them a decisive edge.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Both Teams to Score \u2013 Yes<\/strong><\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><a href=\"\/en\/go\/bet365?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\">8\/13 @ Bet365<\/a><br>(61.9%)<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">\u2b50\u2b50\u2b50<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Benfica have created plenty of chances (20.05 xG, 182 shots) and Madrid have conceded in six out of nine UCL games. Both sides possess attacking threats, so both teams finding the net looks a solid play.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><small>Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.<\/small><\/p>\n\n\n<hr \/>\r\n<h2><strong>Bet \u00a310 &amp; Get \u00a330 in Free Bets with Bet365<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p>Not signed up to bet365 yet? Here's how to claim one of the best bookmaker welcome offers around...\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><strong>Open an account (<a href=\"\/en\/go\/bet365?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here's a link<\/a>)<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Make a qualifying deposit of between \u00a35* and \u00a310*<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Claim the offer to receive three times your deposit in 'Free Bets'.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>To release your 'Free Bets', place qualifying bets to the value of your qualifying deposit and allow those bets to settle.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Your 'Free Bets' will become available shortly after your qualifying bets have settled<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>To use your 'Free Bets', select 'Use bet credits' in the bet slip.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><a href=\"\/en\/go\/bet365?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1422493 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-1024x446.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"446\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-1024x446.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-300x131.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-768x335.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-400x174.png 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-459x200.png 459w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-138x60.png 138w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-150x65.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-40x17.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141.png 1537w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><em>Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&amp;Cs apply.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<hr \/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Season Form &amp; Standings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s been a storied rivalry between Real Madrid and Benfica this season, with the two already meeting twice in the Champions League. Real Madrid won the first leg of this contest by a slender 1-0 scoreline but there is plenty to play for in this playoff encounter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\">\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Team<\/th>\n<th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Pos<\/th>\n<th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">P<\/th>\n<th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">W<\/th>\n<th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">D<\/th>\n<th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">L<\/th>\n<th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">GF<\/th>\n<th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">GA<\/th>\n<th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">GD<\/th>\n<th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Pts<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Real Madrid<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">9<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">8<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">5<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">0<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">3<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">21<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">12<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">+9<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">15<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Benfica<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">24<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">8<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">3<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">0<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">5<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">10<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">12<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">-2<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Potential Match-Winners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 (Real Madrid)<\/strong> \u2013 Averaging 1.44 goals per Champions League game (13 in 9), with a shot accuracy above 52%. The Frenchman\u2019s directness and finishing make him the top threat in this tie.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior (Real Madrid)<\/strong> \u2013 A key creative outlet, often providing width and dangerous dribbles, and likely to supply Mbapp\u00e9 with chances.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Evangelos Pavlidis (Benfica)<\/strong> \u2013 One of Benfica\u2019s most likely goal threats, tasked with converting more of the team\u2019s opportunities given their high xG tally.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Andreas Schjelderup (Benfica)<\/strong> \u2013 Capable of creating and finishing chances; Benfica will need his sharpness if they\u2019re to match Madrid\u2019s firepower.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SquawkaBet\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"114\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28163831\/Group-14764-1-1024x114.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1415389\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28163831\/Group-14764-1-1024x114.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28163831\/Group-14764-1-300x33.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28163831\/Group-14764-1-768x86.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28163831\/Group-14764-1-1536x171.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28163831\/Group-14764-1-400x45.jpg 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28163831\/Group-14764-1-600x67.jpg 600w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28163831\/Group-14764-1-538x60.jpg 538w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28163831\/Group-14764-1-150x17.jpg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28163831\/Group-14764-1-40x4.jpg 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/11\/28163831\/Group-14764-1.jpg 1792w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-head-to-head-last-3-meetings\">Head-to-Head: Last 3 Meetings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These sides have only met three times in history, with Benfica claiming two wins but Real Madrid winning the most recent encounter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table is-style-stripes\">\n<table class=\"has-fixed-layout\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th class=\"\" data-align=\"center\">Date<\/th>\n<th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Score<\/th>\n<th class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Competition<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">17\/02\/26<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">UEFA Champions League<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">28\/01\/26<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">Benfica 4-2 Real Madrid<\/td>\n<td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\">UEFA Champions League<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-will-real-madrid-win-despite-benfica-s-attacking-intent\">Will Real Madrid win despite Benfica&#8217;s attacking intent?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Madrid\u2019s clinical edge, led by Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 and a high pass accuracy, is likely to be decisive against a Benfica side who are creating chances but struggling to convert. Benfica\u2019s attacking volume cannot be ignored, but unless they find a ruthless touch in front of goal, Madrid\u2019s finishing quality should prove the difference. Take advantage of <a href=\"\/en\/go\/bet365?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\">4\/9 @ Bet365<\/a> (69.2%) for the home win if you\u2019re seeking value on the likely outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><small>Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.<\/small><\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n\n\n    <div class=\"sq-top-stories\">\n        <h2 class=\"sq-heading-line\">Squawka Suggests<\/h2>\n        <div 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clash&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":427,"featured_media":1434323,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"Real Madrid vs Benfica, Champions League, betting, predictions, stats, tips, betting offers","_yoast_wpseo_title":"Real Madrid vs Benfica: predictions, stats, tips & odds","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Get the Squawka Bet predictions, stats and betting tips ahead of the Champions League match between Real Madrid and Benfica on Wednesday 25 February.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"news-category":[],"class_list":["post-1434324","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.0 (Yoast SEO v28.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Real Madrid vs Benfica: predictions, stats, tips &amp; odds<\/title>\n<meta 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