Benfica vs Bayer Leverkusen Prediction and Betting Tips for Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League, scheduled for Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 20:00 GMT. The match takes place at the Estádio da Luz and will be broadcast live on Amazon Prime, TNT Sports 6 and Discovery+. It’s a crucial clash for both teams chasing their first victory in the group stage. In this article, you’ll find Champions League Predictions and insights from XpertStats experts.

• Benfica have lost their last three Champions League matches under José Mourinho.
• Bayer Leverkusen remain winless but boast strong away scoring form this season.
• Grimaldo faces his former club for the first time since leaving Benfica in 2023.
• Both sides are battling to keep their knockout hopes alive in Lisbon.

Benfica’s European campaign has gone from frustrating to downright alarming. Three losses in a row have left José Mourinho’s men at the edge of elimination, despite looking far more composed in domestic play. Their 3–0 defeat at St James’ Park was as humbling as it gets, slow transitions, sterile possession, and defensive lapses that Mourinho himself might struggle to explain. Still, their recent 3–0 win over Vitória de Guimarães showed there’s life in the squad yet. With Pavlidis finding form and the back line finally looking settled, can they transfer that calm to the Champions League? It’s hard to say, but this game feels like a breaking point.

On the other side, Leverkusen’s story reads like a rollercoaster, flashes of brilliance followed by sudden collapse. That 7–2 defeat to PSG was a car crash in slow motion, but beneath the chaos was a team that tried to play their way out of pressure. Kasper Hjulmand’s men are creative and quick between the lines, yet too fragile when opponents counter. Even so, they’ve scored in all but one of their away fixtures this season, a sign they can hurt anyone when space opens up. Patrik Schick’s return might just be the spark they need in Lisbon.

Benfica’s main concern is confidence. They’ve gone five Champions League home games without a win and have scored just twice in that stretch. Mourinho will look to Sudakov and Schjelderup to provide more invention in the final third, while Aursnes continues to deputize at right-back. Their domestic record offers hope, seven wins in ten unbeaten Primeira Liga matches, but Europe has a way of exposing frailties. “We need courage, not fear,” Mourinho said last week. That’s easier said than done when facing a Leverkusen side known for rapid transitions and pressing triggers.

Leverkusen, though, aren’t immune to pressure either. Four winless games in Europe have dented their swagger, and Hjulmand’s side must improve defensively. Grimaldo’s emotional return to Lisbon could provide a narrative twist, the Spaniard knows this pitch inside out. Expect Leverkusen to rely on width and fluid combinations through García and Arthur, while Benfica’s midfield will try to slow the tempo. This could be one of those nights when tactics go out the window and instincts take over. Goals? Quite possibly. It feels like both sides will throw caution to the wind, making this fixture a standout for Champions League Predictions this week.