Prediction: Benfica vs St. Gallen

Desperately searching for a second-leg comeback on Thursday night, Benfica will welcome St. Gallen to Lisbon with their Europa League dreams hanging in the balance.

With Europe’s elite set to get their respective domestic adventures underway next month, there are plenty of attractive betting promotions available this summer.

Verdict: Rafa Silva to score anytime 

Starting with the hosts, officially getting a new era underway over the summer following Marco Silva’s arrival in Lisbon, Benfica touched down in Switzerland with the mood in their camp at a real high. However, despite looking to lay down an early marker and clinch a comfy first-leg advantage, the former Fulham boss saw his new squad produce a worrying display. Eventually falling to a real upset on foreign soil as they slumped to a 2-1 loss, the Portuguese icons have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders when they return to Lisbon on Thursday night. Chasing the deficit in midweek, Benfica will also be searching for some defensive grit. Continuing on from last season, the Eagles have failed to muster a single clean sheet from any of their previous six competitive appearances across all competitions.

Making his competitive debut last week after arriving from Atletico Madrid on a season-long loan switch, French international Clement Lenglet will start at the heart of Benfica’s defence on Thursday night.

Bagging what turned out to be a consolation strike over in Switzerland last week and now notching five goals in his previous seven competitive appearances on either side of the summer interval, Rafa Silva could once again play a leading role in the final third.

St. Gallen

As for the visitors, signing off their summer preparations in the midst of a potential rut, few gave St. Gallen any real opportunity last week. However, despite being installed as a universal underdog, Enrico Baaben’s men produced an iconic first-leg performance in front of their own supporters. Eventually dragging themselves to that famous 2-1 victory, the former Borussia Dortmund coach will be starting to believe that his camp can finish off the job and complete what would arguably the greatest result in their history. Likewise, opening the 2026/27 Super League campaign with another 2-1 win against bitter domestic foes Zurich over the weekend, St. Gallen certainly find the mood in their camp at a red-hot high.

Still dealing with a long-term knee injury and yet to make a single appearance across any competition so far this calendar year, one-time Bayern Munich youngster Behar Neziri remains on the sidelines.

Bagging a first-leg strike last week after making his switch from French outfit Nice a permanent one this summer, 23-year-old Aliou Balde will lead the line in Lisbon. Handed a full domestic rest over the weekend, ex-St. Pauli midfielder Carlo Boukhalfa will be handed a full recall.

Benfica vs St. Gallen Key Factors to Consider

• When Benfica and St. Gallen met for their first-leg showdown over in Switzerland last week, Thursday’s guests secured a famous 2-1 victory.
• That shock first-leg defeat was the first competitive loss Benfica have suffered since their Champions League exit against Real Madrid back in February.
• Continuing on from last season, Benfica have failed to muster a clean sheet from their previous six competitive appearances across all competitions.
• Including a consolation first-leg strike in Switzerland last week, Rafa Silva has registered five goals in his previous seven competitive appearances.
• St. Gallen have seen five of their previous six competitive appearances finish with both teams finding the net.

Suffering real first-leg frustration over in Switzerland last week as they eventually slumped to a 2-1 loss, Benfica have a huge amount of pressure on their shoulders when they return to Lisbon on Thursday night. Although Silva’s squad might open their return to Lisbon pencilled in as a landslide contender, they will meet a St. Gallen squad who are enjoying what has been a stellar week. With Benfica’s Europa League dreams hanging in the balance, neutrals could be treated to an enjoyable qualifying showdown here.

Verdict: Rafa Silva to score anytime

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