The UEFA Champions League begins its new league phase with a captivating matchup as Portuguese giants Benfica host Azerbaijani champions FK Qarabag at the iconic Estádio da Luz. This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between these two clubs, with both teams looking to start their campaign on a positive note.
Match Details:
CompetitionDateKick-off (GMT)VenueUEFA Champions LeagueSeptember 16, 20257:00 PMEstádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
Team Form and Analysis:
Benfica enters this match as the clear favorites, with an excellent start to their Liga Portugal season. They are currently 4th with 10 points from four matches, having won three and drawn one. The hosts have shown a balanced mix of attacking sharpness and defensive solidity, scoring seven goals and conceding just two. Their strong domestic form is a testament to the tactical flexibility and firepower of manager Bruno Lage’s squad. Benfica, a two-time European champion, has a proud history in this competition and will be looking to leverage their formidable home record at the Estádio da Luz, which has long served as a fortress on European nights.
FK Qarabag, meanwhile, is making only its second appearance in the Champions League group stage. The visitors have had a mixed start to their domestic season, with one win, one draw, and one loss in the Azerbaijan Premier League. While their domestic form has been inconsistent, they showed resilience and determination to overcome Ferencvaros in the Champions League playoffs to reach this stage. Under manager Qurban Qurbanov, Qarabag is a well-organized side built on defensive resilience and a counter-attacking approach. However, they will face an uphill battle against the superior quality and experience of Benfica.
Head-to-Head:
This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between these two clubs. This lack of history means both teams will be entering the match with a fresh slate, although Benfica’s superior European pedigree and recent form will likely give them a psychological edge.
Player to Watch:
Benfica: All eyes will be on their key attacking players, particularly Vangelis Pavlidis, who has been in good goal-scoring form. The midfield creativity of Enzo Barrenechea will also be vital in breaking down the Qarabag defense.
FK Qarabag: The focus for Qarabag will be on their key players, including forward Abdellah Zoubir, who is known for his creativity and goal contributions. The defense, anchored by Kevin Medina and Bahlul Mustafazada, will need to be at their absolute best to contain Benfica’s attack.
Prediction:
Given Benfica’s superior form, their European pedigree, and their strong home advantage, they are the overwhelming favorites to win this match. While Qarabag will be well-organized and determined, it is difficult to see them overcoming the quality of the Benfica team. A comfortable home victory for Benfica seems like a very likely outcome.
Live Stream and TV Broadcast:
You can watch the Benfica vs FK Qarabag match live on the following platforms, subject to availability in your region:
UK: TNT Sports, DAZN
USA: Paramount+, FuboTV, Sling TV
Canada: DAZN
India: Sony Sports Network, SonyLIV
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Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
