How to watch Benfica vs Real Madrid live: Stream, TV channel, team news, prediction

Lisbon’s Estádio da Luz will stage the first leg of a heavyweight UEFA Champions League playoff on Tuesday, 17 February, as Benfica welcome Real Madrid for a 15:00 ET kick-off. Paramount+ holds the exclusive English-language rights for viewers in the United States.

José Mourinho’s resurgent hosts arrive as clear underdogs, yet they carry genuine belief after toppling the Spanish giants 4-2 in the final match of the league phase only weeks ago. Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored the stoppage-time goal that nudged Benfica into the playoff bracket on goal difference, capping a run of three wins from their last four group games that also included victories over Ajax and Napoli. Since Mourinho returned to his boyhood club in September, Benfica have gone unbeaten in the Primeira Liga, trimming Porto’s lead to seven points, and now view a last-16 berth as a bonus after an otherwise turbulent European campaign.

Real Madrid, managed by Álvaro Arbeloa since the departure of Xabi Alonso, sit atop La Liga by two points—though they have played one more match than Barcelona. Their lone defeat in the last seven fixtures came at Benfica; across the other six matches they have scored 20 goals, with Kylian Mbappé in electric form. Arbeloa rested several regulars at the weekend, watching his side dismantle Real Sociedad 4-1. Jude Bellingham, Éder Militão and Rodrygo remain sidelined through injury, while Raul Asencio is suspended. Mbappé, fresh from a weekend breather, is available, and the return of Antonio Rüdiger, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen has shored up a previously depleted back line.

Mourinho’s game plan will hinge on defensive discipline and swift counters, relying on Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis, Ukrainian playmaker Heorhiy Sudakov and Norwegian winger Andreas Schjelderup to exploit any Madrid gaps. Expect a cagey opening, but with both sides capable of explosive bursts, a high-scoring stalemate is on the cards.

Prediction: Benfica 2-2 Real Madrid.

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