Hearts vs Benfica preview

Europe flag 2026/2027 Europa League, Europe
Tynecastle Park Today - 6:45 PM
Europa League
HeartsHEA
BenficaSLB
KICKOFF : Today - 6:45 PM
3rd Qualifying Round Leg 2 of 2 Aggregate : 1 - 6

CONTEXT

Hearts welcome Benfica to Tynecastle Park for the second leg of their Europa League third qualifying round encounter. Benfica carry a substantial advantage into the fixture after securing a 6-1 victory in the opening leg one week earlier. The visitors demonstrated clear superiority in that first meeting and enter this contest as the stronger side according to power ratings. Hearts must produce an exceptional display at home to overcome the deficit and keep their European hopes alive. The Scottish side will rely on passionate support to create a difficult atmosphere for the Portuguese outfit. Benfica possess greater overall quality and experience in continental competition. Both teams face a match that tests their ability to manage the unique demands of knockout football. The outcome will determine which side advances to the next stage.

TL;DR

  • Structural: This is the second leg of a two-legged tie with Benfica leading 6-1 on aggregate.
  • Form: Hearts hold a form score of 0 compared to Benfica's 33.33.
  • Squad: Detailed squad composition data is unavailable for either side.
  • Efficiency: No efficiency metrics are supplied in the pre-match information.
  • Transition: Transition phase statistics are not detailed for this fixture.
  • Set pieces: Set piece analysis carries low confidence with no xG figures available.
  • xVariable: Benfica holds a 14.3 point power advantage over Hearts.
  • Market: Hearts 14.5% (Δ-0.3%) | Draw 20.1% (Δ-0.4%) | Benfica 65.4% (Δ+0.7%).
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
Jan 25 vs Team A
Feb 1 vs Team B
Feb 8 vs Team C
Hearts W. Vrancken
W. Vrancken
VS
Benfica M. Saraiva Da Silva
M. Saraiva Da Silva
0
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
2
0 i
Last 6 Opponents
Benfica Rank: 89 L
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
2 i
Last 6 Opponents
Hearts Rank: 75 W
St. Gallen Rank: 70 W
St. Gallen Rank: 67 L
0
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
0 - 0 - 1
1
No sidelined player data available.

Win Probabilities

Live Win Probability (90 Min)
Home Hearts
14.54%
Draw
20.05%
Away Benfica
65.41%

Movement

Changes since opening
Hearts
-0.32%
Draw
-0.39%
Benfica
+0.71%

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
74.31
88.65
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Hearts
Benfica
Power Score
74.31
88.65
League Position
-
-
Global Rank
173
22

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Hearts — Opponent-weighted form score
Benfica — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Hearts Benfica

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 1 match between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Hearts HEA Home
1 matches
Benfica SLB Away
Match Record
0
Wins
1
0
Draws
0
1
Losses
0
Goals
1
Goals Scored
6
6
Goals Conceded
1
-5
Goal Difference
+5
Expected Goals
0.86
xG
4.04
4.04
xGA
0.86

Data last updated: 2026-08-13T00:07:06+00:00

General Information

Date & Time
Aug 13, 2026, 06:45 PM
Competition
2026/2027 Europa League, Europe · 3rd Qualifying Round · Leg 2 of 2 · Aggregate : 1 - 6
Stadium
Tynecastle Park
Capacity
19852
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Sander van der Eijk
Rens Bluemink
Stefan de Groot
Alex Bos

Squad

Referee : Sander van der Eijk

Squad ▼

30
Ryan Fulton
Ryan Fulton Goalkeeper
28
Zander Clark
Zander Clark Goalkeeper
1
Beau Reus
Beau Reus Goalkeeper
3
Stephen Kingsley
Stephen Kingsley Defender
17
Stuart Findlay
Stuart Findlay Defender
5
Jamie Mccart
Jamie Mccart Defender
4
Craig Halkett
Craig Halkett Defender
18
Harry Milne
Harry Milne Defender
2
Christian Dahle Borchgrevink
Christian Dahle Borchgrevink Defender
64
Malachi Fagan-Walcott
Malachi Fagan-Walcott Defender
78
Laurent Mendy
Laurent Mendy Defender
24
Michael-John Kamson-Kamara
Michael-John Kamson-Kamara Defender
23
Jordi Altena
Jordi Altena Defender
16
Blair Spittal
Blair Spittal Midfielder
7
Calvin Miller
Calvin Miller Midfielder
27
Sander Erik Kartum
Sander Erik Kartum Midfielder
12
Tom Renaud
Tom Renaud Midfielder
31
Yan Dhanda
Yan Dhanda Midfielder
22
Tómas Bent Magnússon
Tómas Bent Magnússon Midfielder
6
Oisin McEntee
Oisin McEntee Midfielder
33
Finlay Pollock
Finlay Pollock Midfielder
8
Eduardo Ageu Almeida Santos
Eduardo Ageu Almeida Santos Midfielder
20
Elton Daniël Kabangu
Elton Daniël Kabangu Attacker
77
Amadou Ba-Sy
Amadou Ba-Sy Attacker
11
Pierre Landry Kabore
Pierre Landry Kabore Attacker
15
Joshua McPake
Joshua McPake Attacker
10
Cláudio Rafael Soares Braga
Cláudio Rafael Soares Braga Attacker
19
Severin Sabri Guendouz
Severin Sabri Guendouz Attacker
74
Rogers Mato
Rogers Mato Attacker
21
James Wilson
James Wilson Attacker
29
Sabah Kerjota
Sabah Kerjota Attacker
Referee : Sander van der Eijk

Squad ▼

1
Anatolii Trubin
Anatolii Trubin Goalkeeper
24
Samuel Jumpe Soares
Samuel Jumpe Soares Goalkeeper
6
Alexander Hartmann Bah
Alexander Hartmann Bah Defender
2
Clément Lenglet
Clément Lenglet Defender
17
Amar Dedić
Amar Dedić Defender
44
Tomás Lemos Araújo
Tomás Lemos Araújo Defender
26
Samuel Dahl
Samuel Dahl Defender
—
Rafael Obrador Burguera
Rafael Obrador Burguera Defender
58
Daniel Armando Fonseca da Silva Banjaqui
Daniel Armando Fonseca da Silva Banjaqui Defender
62
José Pedro Formoso Neto
José Pedro Formoso Neto Defender
33
Gabriel dos Santos Queiroz
Gabriel dos Santos Queiroz Defender
8
Fredrik Aursnes
Fredrik Aursnes Midfielder
18
Leandro Barreiro Martins
Leandro Barreiro Martins Midfielder
10
Heorhii Sudakov
Heorhii Sudakov Midfielder
5
Enzo Barrenechea
Enzo Barrenechea Midfielder
20
Richard Rios Montoya
Richard Rios Montoya Midfielder
16
Manuel Jorge Silva
Manuel Jorge Silva Midfielder
84
João Pedro Seno Luis Rêgo
João Pedro Seno Luis Rêgo Midfielder
14
Vangelis Pavlidis
Vangelis Pavlidis Attacker
11
Dodi Lukebakio
Dodi Lukebakio Attacker
27
Rafael Alexandre Fernandes Ferreira da Silva
Rafael Alexandre Fernandes Ferreira da Silva Attacker
7
Armindo Tué Na Bangna
Armindo Tué Na Bangna Attacker
13
Jakub Kamiński
Jakub Kamiński Attacker
47
Tiago Maria Antunes Gouveia
Tiago Maria Antunes Gouveia Attacker
22
Jhon Jáder Durán Palacio
Jhon Jáder Durán Palacio Attacker
21
Andreas Schjelderup
Andreas Schjelderup Attacker
25
Gianluca Prestianni Gross
Gianluca Prestianni Gross Attacker
72
Anísio Cláudio Fernandes Reis Cabral
Anísio Cláudio Fernandes Reis Cabral Attacker

CONCLUSION

Benfica arrive in Scotland with a commanding lead and the credentials to close out the tie. Their superior power rating and recent form provide a solid platform for progression despite the away venue. Hearts will seek to exploit home advantage and the emotional lift of a large crowd to mount a response. The first leg result highlighted the gap in quality between the sides. Benfica are expected to control proceedings through structured play and clinical finishing. Hearts face a steep task but can draw motivation from performing in front of their supporters. The match offers a clear test of European pedigree for both clubs. Benfica remain the side best placed to advance to the next round.