AZ's pressure meets Ararat-Armenia's intention to keep connecting passes through midfield. Leverkusen's byline combinations meet OFI's compact defensive shape and direct outlets. Benfica's wide creation meets an Omonia defence preparing with a changed central partnership.
AZ's replacement midfield has already operated together against Beer Sheva: Kwakman and Koopmeiners completed the match, with Byskov creating chances. That is an executed alternative to Clasie and Smit, with Clasie confirmed to have stayed behind after his Cambuur appearance. Ararat's Banjaqui is ruled out by the coach, while Tera's participation remains uncertain. Their recent European possession did not consistently become safe exits or close chances. I expect AZ to keep testing the first pass, recoveries and the next defensive action. That's why I'm siding with AZ to win.
Leverkusen can turn wide access into close finishes through Maza and Schick, as their Freiburg combinations showed. Tella's saved attempt becoming Tillman's goal against Lech provides another route through the next ball. OFI's Rennes match required repeated saves while offering very little attacking relief, making the coordination around those deliveries especially important.
Christogeorgos is omitted from OFI's current squad despite playing in their latest domestic match, with Lilo expected to replace him. Aitor is back and Fountas is in the group, preserving direct attacking outlets. Hofmann's European registration has been confirmed by Leverkusen, adding a flexible alternative. I expect the visitors to work around the outside of the defensive trio and keep receivers near the follow-up ball. That's why I'm siding with Leverkusen to win.
Benfica retain Aursnes and Palhinha behind repeated creation from Prestianni, whose recent supply has worked across two matches. Durán is unavailable after playing against Celtic, but Pavlidis both started the preceding domestic game and scored from the bench in Europe. Echeverri's start is coach-announced, changing an advanced role while the deeper platform remains available.
Omonia's Coulibaly is a new defensive absence after his injured domestic departure. Benfica have had a longer recovery interval, and I expect their circulation and wide-to-central combinations to keep testing that changed partnership as the match develops. The retained supplier-to-finisher chain is why I'm siding with Benfica to win.
