The Matchday 5 clash in the 2025/26 Champions League group stage between Ajax (Netherlands) and Benfica (Portugal) will take place on November 25 at the Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam. Ajax vs. Benfica: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Ajax
The Dutch side is struggling in the tournament. Their defeat to Galatasaray in the last round marked their fourth consecutive loss. Notably, Ajax failed to score in three of these matches. The team has only one goal to their name, the worst record among all participants in the main stage. Moreover, Ajax has conceded the most goals – 14 – and has not kept a clean sheet in nine consecutive Champions League games. They are at the bottom of the standings but are only four points away from the playoff zone.
John Heitinga has been dismissed as head coach, with Fred Grim appointed as caretaker.
- The Dutch side has conceded at least twice in 8 of their last 9 Champions League matches.
- At home, the club has lost 5 of their last 6 Champions League games (1 win).
- In 5 of their last 6 home games in this tournament, Ajax has not scored more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Ajax (4-3-3)
Remko Pasveer – Anton Goy, Ko Itakura, Jurriën Baas, Josip Sutalo – Davy Klaassen, Kenneth Taylor, Oscar Gloukh – Raul Moro, Mika Godts, Wout Weghorst.
Midfielder Branco van den Boomen is injured.
Benfica
Joining Ajax at the bottom of the standings are José Mourinho's charges. Their defeat to Bayer (0-1) in the last round was their fourth in the main stage, and they have failed to score in three consecutive matches. Benfica is ahead of Ajax in the standings only due to a better goal difference. However, it is worth noting that Benfica did not concede a single goal in the 2025/26 Champions League qualifiers.
- The team has not scored more than one goal in 5 of their last 6 Champions League matches.
- In this tournament, the Portuguese side has not won in 4 of their last 5 away games (1 draw, 3 losses).
- In 5 of their last 7 away games in the Champions League, Benfica has not conceded more than one goal.
Predicted lineup for Benfica (4-3-3)
Anatoliy Trubin – António Silva, Tomás Araújo, Nicolás Otamendi, Samuel Dall – Richard Rios, Enzo Barrenechea, Georgiy Sudakov – Fredrik Aursnes, Evangelos Pavlidis, Dodi Lukebakio.
Defender Alexander Bah, midfielders Manu Silva and Nuno Félix, as well as forward Bruma, are injured.
Referee
Sven Jablonski (Germany)
Matches – 10 (International matches, 2024/25 - 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 42;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.2;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 19;
Penalties – 0%.
Ajax vs. Benfica: Match Prediction
A rather unexpected pair finds themselves at the bottom of the standings midway through the main stage. However, Ajax is also struggling in the domestic league, trailing the top spot by 11 points, and in European competitions, the club is experiencing its longest losing streak in history (7 matches). These unsatisfactory results led to the departure of the head coach. Caretaker Fred Grim needs to address two issues: organizing the defense and improving chance conversion. The club has only scored one penalty goal in this Champions League campaign, and at home, they have not scored more than one goal in 5 of their last 6 matches in this tournament.
Benfica's confidently navigated qualification is the only bright spot in their 2025/26 Champions League campaign. However, things went downhill immediately in the group stage. The goals against Qarabag remain the only ones for the Portuguese side. Yes, their subsequent opponents were stronger, but Bayer had conceded in all matches until the last round. Therefore, José Mourinho needs to restore his team's confidence.
I think any of the opponents, given their poor results, would be happy with even one point, so we can expect a cautious game. My prediction: Total under 3
