/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2025%2F10%2FPavlidis-FW-Imago_Avants-Sports.jpg)
Marco Silva begins his first competitive match as Benfica head coach on Thursday when the Portuguese giants travel to Switzerland to face St Gallen in the first leg of their Europa League second qualifying round tie.
The former Fulham manager replaced Jose Mourinho at the Estadio da Luz following the veteran coach's return to Real Madrid, with Silva aiming to restore Benfica to the top of Portuguese football while leading the Eagles on a strong European run.
St Gallen, meanwhile, head into the contest after an outstanding 2025-26 campaign that ended with Swiss Cup glory and a runners-up finish in the Super League, although consecutive heavy pre-season defeats have dampened confidence ahead of Thursday's clash.
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.
St Gallen vs Benfica key stats
- Over 2.5 goals has landed in five of St Gallen's last six competitive matches.
- Vangelis Pavlidis has scored in both of Benfica's pre-season fixtures.
- Benfica have won four of their last six away matches in all competitions.
St Gallen vs Benfica preview: Eagles backed to take first-leg control
St Gallen vs Benfica — Tale of the Tape
| St Gallen | vs | Benfica |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd (2025-26 Swiss Super League) | Position | 3rd (2025-26 Primeira Liga) |
| 70 | Points | 80 |
| 72 | Goals For | 74 |
| 47 | Goals Against | 25 |
| 8 | Clean Sheets | 13 |
| 4th | Home / Away Rank | 3rd |
St Gallen enjoyed one of the finest campaigns in the club's modern history, ending a 26-year wait for major silverware by beating Stade Lausanne-Ouchy 3-0 in the Swiss Cup final before securing second place in the Super League.
That domestic success has earned Enrico Maassen's side another opportunity to compete in Europe, although they have been handed one of the toughest possible draws against a Benfica side with vast continental experience.
The Swiss outfit made an impressive start to pre-season by winning each of their opening three friendlies, but defensive weaknesses have since been exposed in defeats to Lyon (6-3) and Norwich City (3-0).
Having conceded nine goals across those two matches, Maassen's men must improve at the back if they are to contain Benfica's dangerous attacking unit at Kybunpark.
Benfica begin a new era under Silva after Mourinho departed for a second spell at Real Madrid, with the former Fulham boss returning to his homeland over a decade after leaving Portuguese football.
Although preparations have been affected by the absence of several players following the World Cup, the Eagles have still shown encouraging signs in pre-season, bouncing back from a narrow 2-1 defeat to Flamengo with a 2-0 victory over Villarreal.
The Portuguese giants boast far greater European experience than their hosts after reaching last season's Champions League knockout playoff phase, and they will expect to seize control of the tie before next week's return leg in Lisbon.
Pavlidis has looked particularly sharp during the summer, scoring in both warm-up matches, and the Greece international is expected to lead Benfica's attack again as Silva targets a winning start to his reign.
St Gallen vs Benfica form guide & betting tips
| St Gallen | vs | Benfica |
|---|---|---|
W
W
W
L
L
|
Form |
D
D
W
L
W
|
| 10 | Goals For | 10 |
| 11 | Goals Against | 6 |
N/A |
Europa League qualifiers | N/A |
Whispers predicts: St Gallen 1-3 Benfica
Benfica are deserved favourites to take a first-leg advantage, with an away win priced at 19/50 (1.38), but St Gallen's attacking approach and the visitors' recent defensive record suggest this could be an entertaining contest rather than a straightforward away success.
Both teams to score – Yes stands out at 4/5 (1.80) after each of the Eagles' last five competitive matches produced goals at both ends, while St Gallen have seen over 2.5 goals land in five of their previous six competitive outings, making over 2.5 goals at 8/15 (1.53) another strong selection.
Pavlidis also appeals in the anytime goalscorer market at 4/6 (1.67) after finding the net in both pre-season fixtures, and he should receive plenty of opportunities against a St Gallen defence that has struggled in recent matches.
For punters seeking greater value, Benfica over 2.5 team goals at 5/4 (2.25) is worth considering after the hosts conceded at least three goals in each of their previous two outings, while a 3-1 Benfica victory at 10/1 (11.00) also appeals in the correct-score market.
> Match result – Benfica win at 19/50 (1.38) | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 8/15 (1.53) | Likelihood: Probable
> Both teams to score – Yes at 4/5 (1.80) | Likelihood: Possible
> Anytime goalscorer – Vangelis Pavlidis at 4/6 (1.67) | Likelihood: Possible
> Benfica over 2.5 team goals at 5/4 (2.25) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score: St Gallen 1-3 Benfica at 10/1 (11.00) | Likelihood: Outsider