Hearts will have a mountain to climb to keep their Europa League dreams alive when they host Benfica at Tynecastle Park on August 13, after a 6-1 loss in Portugal against Benfica last Thursday.
Hearts Hoping For a Miracle
It hasn’t been the start to the season that Wouter Vrancken would have been hoping for. Hearts have already lost once in the SPL and sit on the verge of a Europa League exit in the qualifying round.
Defensive improvement will be required after allowing nine goals in three competitive fixtures, but positives could be drawn from a recent 4-0 win over Dundee United. Cláudio Braga is ready to lead the line after registering three goal involvements in the recent league win.
Vrancken will be without influential defensive players Stephen Kingsley, Malachi Fagan-Walcott, and Craig Halkett due to injury.
Hearts predicted lineup vs Benfica (4-2-3-1): Reus; Altena, McEntee, McCart, Miller; Spittal, Renaud; Kerjota, Braga, McPake; Ba-Sy
Benfica On Verge Of Progression
Marco Silva’s Benfica have one foot in the next round of the Europa League following a dazzling attacking display in last week’s first leg against Hearts.
The Portuguese heavyweights have been offensively strong under Silva, scoring 14 goals in their four competitive fixtures. Vangelis Pavlidis has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, netting six times in his last three appearances.
Jhon Duran has also settled into life at Benfica quickly with one goal in three appearances from the bench. Benfica will have a near-fully fit squad available this week, with only Anisio Cabral missing due to injury.
Benfica predicted lineup vs Hearts (4-2-3-1): Soares; Bah, Araujo, Lenglet, Dahl; Barreiro, Barrenechea; Silva, Sudakov, Prestianni; Pavlidis
Hearts vs Benfica Prediction
- Safe Tip: Benfica to Win
- Odds: 1.448 (22Bet)
- 22Bet Booking Code: 5NU4H
- Correct score prediction: Hearts 0-3 Benfica
Key stats:
- Benfica have scored 18 goals in their last four fixtures.
- Hearts have won just once in five since Vrancken took over.
- The hosts have conceded nine competitive goals in five outings.
A second straight win for Benfica looks like the standout selection to consider after claiming the 22Bet bonus of up to 122 $/€.
Benfica have been in red-hot scoring form since Silva took over in the summer, netting 18 goals in their last four, and winning three of the fixtures over that period.
Last week’s 6-1 victory over Hearts was an indicator of the gulf in quality between these two sides. The hosts have struggled under their new head coach for consistency, winning once in their previous five fixtures and allowing nine goals in that time.
Hearts vs Benfica Prediction, Value Tip
- Value Tip: Both Teams Not To Score
- Odds: 2.194 (22Bet)
- 22Bet Booking Code: CENKH
A Benfica win to nil is the value selection on Thursday. The Portuguese club have been reliable defensively under Silva, keeping clean sheets in two of their last six fixtures.
Hearts have struggled to convert chances after losing last season’s top scorer Lawrence Shankland to Rangers. That is reflected by the fact that Hearts have failed to score in two of their opening five competitive matches at the start of the 2026/27 season.
Verdict: Benfica to Win (1.448) — Hearts 0-3 Benfica
