Benfica are back in action on Friday as Group A at the FIFA Club World Cup continues. Our Benfica vs Auckland City prediction considers whether the Portuguese giants can avoid what would be a major upset in Orlando.
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Benfica vs Auckland City prediction: Pavlidis and Di Maria to shine in one-sided contest
Key stats
- Our Benfica vs Auckland City betting tips take into account that the Kiwis faced 31 shots in their opening game, having just one themselves.
- Benfica have won six of their last 13 matches by at least a three-goal margin.
- Vangelis Pavlidis scored 29 goals in all competitions for Benfica during the 2024/25 season.
Correct score prediction: Benfica 6-0 Auckland City
Part-timers Auckland City are completely out of their depth at this level, and their frailties were brutally exposed in their opening game against Bayern Munich.
They may be slightly more competitive in their final two group games, but there is still an enormous gulf in quality and they are likely to be on the end of another drubbing here.
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Pre-game odds and win probability: Only one result expected in Orlando
- BENFICA: 1/1000 (1.00) – 99.9%
- DRAW: 100/1 (101.00) – 1.0%
- AUCKLAND CITY: 150/1 (151.00) – 0.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The Lisbon-based club are the red-hot favourites according to the Benfica vs Auckland City odds, with an implied probability of a huge 99.9% that they win this match.
That’s largely a reflection of Auckland City’s 10-0 capitulation against Bayern in their opening game, with the Germans scoring six before the break.
As for Benfica, they kicked off their campaign with a 2-2 draw against Boca Juniors in perhaps the game of the tournament so far, one which saw three players sent off.
For more from the upcoming matches, today’s free football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: Clubs set for first meeting
Our Benfica vs Auckland City prediction suggests the European side should secure an easy win in the first ever meeting.
Benfica preview: Belotti serves suspension
Andrea Belotti is banned after seeing red in the Boca match. Tomas Araujo, Alexander Bah and Manu Silva are currently out injured.
Predicted Lineup: Trubin (GK), Carreras, Silva, Otamendi, Dahl, Sanches, Florentino, Aursnes, Akturkoglu, Di Maria & Pavlidis
Portugal Primeira Liga 10/05/25
D Sporting 1 Benfica 1 Portugal Primeira Liga 03/05/25
W Estoril 1 Benfica 2 Portugal Primeira Liga 27/04/25
W AVS 0 Benfica 6 Portugal Cup 23/04/25
W FC Tirsense 0 Benfica 4 Portugal Primeira Liga 19/04/25
W Guimaraes 0 Benfica 3
Auckland City preview: A tough job for Vicelich
Ivan Vicelich must somehow try to lift his players after they let in 10 goals in their opener. Light changes are possible, but he’s not likely to veer too much from the starting lineup from last weekend.
Predicted Lineup: Tracey (GK), Lobo, Boxall, Den Heijer, Mitchell, Murati, Manickum, Ilich, Garriga, Yoo & De Vries
New Zealand Northern League 10/05/25
L Eastern Suburbs Auckland 1 Auckland City 0 New Zealand Northern League 03/05/25
L Auckland FC II 1 Auckland City 0 New Zealand Northern League 26/04/25
W Fencibles United 1 Auckland City 2 New Zealand Northern League 21/04/25
W Bay Olympic 0 Auckland City 1 New Zealand Northern League 18/04/25
L Birkenhead United 2 Auckland City 1
Player to watch – Angel Di Maria
This game is perfectly set up for a player of Angel Di Maria’s ability to work his magic against a team that’s likely to set up very defensively. The Argentine averaged a goal contribution every 128 minutes during the Portuguese league season.
Di Maria still a key contributor
The 37-year-old assisted two goals in nine Champions League appearances this season, averaging 1.8 key passes per game in the competition.