Omonia vs Benfica Prediction, H2H Stats & Statistical Bets 22 October 2026
π Benfica donβt consider the Europa League to be their stage. This is their first campaign in the competition in 17 years. After a commanding 4-1 win over Celtic, Marco Silva was quick to remind everyone that Benfica are used to Champions League football. But in Nicosia, they face Omonia, a side yet to concede a goal in the group stage. Can the Cypriot defence hold firm against a team that has scored in 28 consecutive matches?
Head-to-Head
π Omonia and Benfica have never met before. Both sides came through qualifying to reach this match. The Portuguese started back in July, in the second qualifying round, and then beat Danish side Aarhus in the play-offs. Omonia knocked out Belgian club Sint-Truiden at the same stage.
Omonia: Clean Sheets Amid a Packed Fixture List
In the Europa League, Omonia have been winning through patience. They ground down Spanish side Celta at home with two minutes to go, left-back Jure Balkovec scoring the only goal. Away at Slovenian club Celje, Omonia deliberately ceded possession in the first half and attacked into space. The result was three goals without reply, and after two matchdays they have six points and have not conceded once.
The congested schedule has taken its toll in the Cypriot league, where Omonia sit third and are unbeaten after six rounds, but on Monday they came close to losing to Olympiakos, their Nicosia neighbours. The opponents were two goals up by the 35th minute. Omonia pulled one back before half-time, and forward Lois Diony rescued a draw in stoppage time. Berg's explanation was straightforward: matches come one after another, and injuries are part of this difficult run.
Match Results: Omonia Nicosia
Benfica: Convincing Wins Amid Managerβs Discontent
Benfica won both of their league phase matches comfortably, but that has not put Marco Silva at ease. At home, Milan failed to respond to goals from Dodi Lukebakio and Jakub KamiΕski. Celtic were already three goals down by the 36th minute, though the Scottish side pulled some back after the break. The manager was not satisfied: "It looked easy, but nothing here is easy."
In the Primeira Liga, Benfica are currently in pursuit. They have 19 points and sit second, while Porto have dropped none in eight rounds and moved five clear. Their only defeat came away to the leaders, a match in which Silva's side spent most of the game with ten men following the sending-off of defender ClΓ©ment Lenglet and lost by two goals. In the following round, Benfica beat VitΓ³ria GuimarΓ£es at home, with midfielder Georgiy Sudakov scoring for the first time since December 2025.
Match Results: Benfica Lisbon
Latest news
Omonia Nicosia
β Centre-back Senu Coulibaly felt some discomfort during the match against Olympiacos and was substituted. The extent of the problem is not yet known, and his availability for Thursday is in doubt.
Benfica Lisbon
β Jakub Kaminski and 18-year-old right back Daniel Banjaku are both training individually after thigh muscle injuries and are doubts. Midfielder Enzo Barrenechea is recovering from knee surgery, while winger Jayden Umeh has had an operation on his hip.
Predicted Lineups
π Predicted starting XI for Omonia: Fabiano - Duverne, Satka, Simic, Balkovec - Andreou, Maric - Montnor, Tankovic, Ewandro - Diony.
π Predicted starting XI for Benfica: Trubin - Bah, Tomas Araujo, Lenglet, Dahl - Aursnes, Palhinha - Lukebakio, Sudakov, Prestianni - Duran.
Total Goals Prediction
In 6 of their last 7 Europa League matches, Benfica have scored at least twice. Since 20 August, they have netted 12 goals in four European fixtures. Omonia's clean sheet record in the league phase looks fragile: Benfica have scored in 16 consecutive away matches. We're expecting at least two goals from the visitors. The bet is Benfica Team Total - Over 1.5.
Corners Prediction
Omonoia have taken more than two corners in ten matches in a row, and in seven consecutive home matches. Across their last ten official games, they have earned 68 corners, while their opponents have earned 42. Benfica are reluctant to concede corners - their opponents have earned just 35 over the same period. However, Milan did take ten corners in a single game against them. We are expecting at least three from the hosts. The pick is Omonoia Team Total Corners - Over 2.5.
Yellow Cards Prediction
Benfica have had more than two yellow cards in six consecutive matches. In Milan, the Portuguese side picked up five bookings. Across their last 10 official matches, SΓlva's players have accumulated 23 yellow cards, while their opponents have collected 22. We're expecting at least three bookings. The bet is Total Yellow Cards - Over 2.5.
π Editorial Prediction
Benfica travel to Nicosia as favourites, but a big scoreline here would be a surprise. At home, Omonia have not lost by two goals or more in 26 consecutive matches. And across their last 47 home matches, they have only suffered such a defeat once. So we're expecting a one-goal away win. The bet is Omonia - Handicap +1.5. Predicted score: 1-2.
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Betting Tips: Omonia Nicosia - Benfica Lisbon
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