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Real Madrid vs. Benfica Prediction, Picks: Target Mbappé, Schjelderup?

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé celebrates in a UEFA Champions League game.
AP Photo/Francisco Macia

Benfica returns to the cauldron of the Estádio da Luz looking to orchestrate a massive European upset, banking on their fervent home support and a resilient backline to frustrate the visiting giants.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, enters Lisbon with the swagger of perennial contenders, armed with an unmatched pedigree and a lethal counterattack built for big nights under the lights.

Now, these historic heavyweights collide Tuesday, Feb. 17 at 3:00 p.m. ET on Paramount+ in a marquee showdown.

⚽️ Find our Real Madrid vs. Man City Prediction for Champions League on Wednesday HERE

Let's take a look at our Benfica vs. Real Madrid prediction and Tuesday UEFA Champions League picks for the clash at Estádio da Luz in Lisbon. Use PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks to make picks on player projections, game winners, over/unders, spreads, and more!

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Real Madrid vs. Benfica Prediction, Picks for Champions League

Under manager José Mourinho, Benfica arrives at leg one of the playoffs with a 3-0-5 record in the league phase. Their European campaign has been defined by grit rather than dominance, relying on the hostile atmosphere in Lisbon to unsettle opponents, though a lack of consistent scoring punch remains a concern against top-tier competition.

🏆 Get more UEFA Champions League Picks and Predictions HERE!

Real Madrid, meanwhile, enters leg one with a solid 5-0-3 record under manager Álvaro Arbeloa's steady hand.

Los Blancos have shown their trademark composure on the continent, blending veteran savvy with explosive young talent to navigate the new format, and they arrive looking to impose their will after a strong run of domestic form in La Liga.


Benfica vs. Real Madrid Payouts

Real Madrid enters Tuesday’s game as a road favorite, returning a 1.81x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they win outright.

Benfica is a home underdog with a 3.44x payout if they win, via PrizePicks Team Picks.

Game Winner Payout: Real Madrid 1.81x | Tie 3.7x | Benfica 3.44x

Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.


Benfica vs. Real Madrid Prediction on Game Winner

Here are some stats to know to help you make your Benfica vs. Real Madrid prediction on Tuesday, February 17.

  • Real Madrid brings pedigree to the knockout stages, having advanced in 12 of their last 14 Champions League matchups when playing the first leg away from home.
  • Benfica has won each of their two meetings with Real Madrid, most recently coming away with the 4-2 victory on January 29, 2026.
  • Álvaro Arbeloa's side has been ruthless on the road in Champions League lately, scoring at least two goals in each of their last four away matches in the tournament.
⚽️ Tap in for more Soccer Picks and Predictions HERE!

Benfica vs. Real Madrid Picks for PrizePicks Today: Tuesday, February 17

Here are two top Benfica vs. Real Madrid picks to target for Tuesday, February 17, on PrizePicks. Player stat projections via PrizePicks are headlined by Kylian Mbappé and Andreas Schjelderup.

Real Madrid F Kylian Mbappé vs. Benfica Projection: 1.5 Goals

  • Mbappé is scoring at a historic pace in this season's Champions League, averaging a staggering 1.86 goals per match, with 13 goals in just seven appearances.
  • ​His underlying volume supports the multi-goal potential, as he leads the competition with 5.8 shots per 90 minutes while maintaining a lethal 55% shot accuracy.
  • Benfica's defensive metrics suggest vulnerability against elite transition attacks, conceding 1.5 goals per match throughout the league phase while struggling to contain pace in wide areas.
  • The French superstar has already proven his ceiling in this campaign with a pair of hat-tricks, making a brace against a leaky Portuguese backline a statistically viable play.

Benfica LW Andreas Schjelderup vs. Real Madrid Projection: 1.5 Shots

  • The Norwegian winger has been a high-volume shooter for Benfica in domestic play, averaging 1.82 shots per 90 minutes in Liga Portugal this season.
  • ​Schjelderup’s tendency to cut inside from the left flank aligns perfectly with a tactical vulnerability for Real Madrid, who have allowed 3.8 shots per game to opposing wingers in this year's Champions League.
  • As Benfica is expected to be chasing the game at home, a scenario where Schjelderup’s shot volume historically spikes to 2.5 per 90 when his team trails.
  • Real Madrid’s defense has been surprisingly porous on their travels, conceding an average of 14.75 shots per match in their last four away Champions League fixtures.

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Make Benfica vs. Real Madrid UEFA Picks on PrizePicks

Benfica vs. Real Madrid picks are just one of many ways UEFA Champions League fans can get in on the action.

You can make your picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 34 states

Stick around with the Playbook for continued UEFA Champions League predictions, picks, and news.

Get in the game! Sign up for PrizePicks and cash in on your sports predictions. Play $5 and get $50 instantly in Lineups with promo code PLAYBOOK.

Team Picks and Culture Picks are event contracts offered by Performance Predictions II, LLC d/b/a PrizePicks Predict, a CFTC-registered FCM and NFA Member. All event contract customers must be U.S. residents and 18+. Some event contracts may not be available in every state. Event contract trading carries significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. No guarantee against loss is offered. Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results. Void where prohibited by law. Restrictions apply. For full terms of service see prizepicks.com/predict-regulatory. Team and Culture Pick Early Payouts subject to market liquidity. The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, or a recommendation to trade any commodity interest.

about the author

Garrett Kerman is a seasoned sports writer who has written for numerous outlets over the years from ClutchPoints, to Ballislife, to OutKick Sports. He also goes by the name The Fight Analyst where he has been a prominent voice in combat sports. However, he still maintains his voice in all sports like NFL, NBA, and MLB bringing viewers the best in coverage and analysis.

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