Marco Silva’s first competitive match in charge at the Estadio da Luz sees Benfica needing to overturn a one-goal deficit against St Gallen in Thursday’s return fixture of their Europa League second qualifying round tie.
The Lisbon giants suffered a shock 2-1 defeat in last week’s first leg in Switzerland and are now at risk of missing out on either of Europe’s top two competitions’ main stages for the first time in several years.
Meanwhile, St Gallen have rarely featured in the latter stages of continental competition and will look to take another step towards achieving that by avoiding defeat in Portugal.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Benfica vs St Gallen key stats
- Benfica have won 10 of their last 13 competitive home matches, with eight of those victories coming by at least a two-goal margin.
- Both teams have found the net in five of St Gallen’s last six competitive matches.
- Benfica have scored at least three goals in six of their last 11 home games.
- Rafa Silva has found the net in each of Benfica’s last three competitive matches.
Benfica vs St Gallen preview: Eagles aiming to overturn first-leg setback
Benfica vs. St Gallen — Tale of the Tape
| Benfica | vs | St Gallen |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd (2025-26 Primeira Liga) | Position | 4th (Swiss Super League) |
| 80 | Points | 3 |
| 74 | Goals For | 2 |
| 25 | Goals Against | 1 |
| 13 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 3rd | Home / Away Rank | 9th |
After being forced to settle for Europa League qualifiers following a third-place finish in the 2025-26 Primeira Liga campaign, Benfica are now at risk of slipping further down the European ladder.
Failure to overturn their deficit would see the Reds drop into the third qualifying round of the Conference League, which would represent an unwanted low point in their recent continental history.
Not since the 2002-03 campaign have Benfica been absent from the main stage of either of Europe’s top two club competitions, meaning Silva will be aware of the importance of avoiding an early setback after replacing Jose Mourinho.
The Reds’ most recent outing was a 5-1 thrashing of Os Belenenses in a friendly a day after their first-leg defeat, although most of their regular starters were not involved in that encounter.
St Gallen’s shock victory in last week’s first leg was secured by Tom Gaal’s late strike after Aliou Balde’s opener had been cancelled out by Rafa Silva’s first-half equaliser.
That result increased belief within the Swiss side, who are bidding to reach the Europa League main stage for only the second time, with their previous appearance coming during the 2013-14 campaign.
However, St Gallen did reach the Conference League league phase in 2024-25, although they suffered an early exit after finishing 29th in the 36-team table.
That said, Enrico Maassen’s men enter this encounter on the back of a comeback 2-1 victory over Zurich in their Super League opener and will look to build on that momentum.
Benfica vs St Gallen form guide & betting tips
| Benfica | vs | St Gallen |
|---|---|---|
W
L
W
L
W
|
Form |
W
L
L
W
W
|
| 12 | Goals For | 8 |
| 6 | Goals Against | 11 |
L
|
[COMPETITION] |
W
|
Whispers predicts: Benfica 3-1 St Gallen
Benfica are undoubtedly favourites to progress after last week’s first-leg defeat was viewed as a major upset, reflected by their 1/11 (1.11) odds for victory compared to St Gallen’s 14/1 (15.00) price.
The Lisbon giants are expected to respond strongly at the Estadio da Luz, where their dominant home form and greater European pedigree should provide the platform to overturn the deficit.
With a home victory offering little value in the outright market, Benfica to win the first half provides slightly better appeal at 4/10 (1.40), especially with expectations that the hosts will look to make a fast start.
Both teams to score – yes looks an appealing option at 20/23 (1.87) given Benfica’s recent trend of scoring and conceding in the same match, while St Gallen have also produced that outcome regularly in their recent run.
Benfica over 2.5 team goals at 4/6 (1.67) is another attractive selection, with the Reds boasting a strong attacking record at home after scoring at least three times in over half of their last 11 matches at the Estadio da Luz and needing another prolific display to keep their European campaign alive.
A 3-1 correct score appeals at 11/1 (12.00), with Benfica’s attacking quality and impressive home performances pointing towards a convincing response, although St Gallen’s recent ability to score consistently suggests the Swiss side can still get on the scoresheet.
> Benfica first-half win at 1.40 | Likelihood: Probable
> Team goals – Benfica over 2.5 at 4/6 (1.67) | Likelihood: Possible
> BTTS – Yes at 20/23 (1.87) | Likelihood: Possible
> Anytime scorer – Rafa Silva at 1.80 | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score – Benfica 3-1 St Gallen at 11/1 (12.00) | Likelihood: Outsider