Hearts vs Benfica predictions and betting tips | Scottish side need miracle

Our Hearts vs Benfica predictions consider the fact that the Scottish team are 6-1 down on aggregate ahead of the second leg. Can they somehow turn the tie around?

Hearts vs Benfica head to head overview

• Date: Thursday 13th August.
• Kick-off: 7.45pm.
• Venue: Tynecastle Park, Edinburgh, Scotland.
• Where to watch: Not being shown live in the UK.

Hearts vs Benfica quick tips

• Benfica to score in both halves – 10/11 with bet365
• Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals – 8/11 with SBK
• Evangelos Pavlidis to score any time – 10/11 with Unibet

Hearts vs Benfica predictions

Heart of Midlothian were always going to be up against it in this Europa League qualifier, but the manner of their defeat by Benfica last week was still disappointing.

A slender loss by one or two goals in the first leg would have kept Hearts’ dream alive ahead of the return fixture at Tynecastle Park.

Instead, the Scottish side were hit for six last time out, going down to a 6-1 defeat in Lisbon. Their hopes of reaching the final round of Europa League qualifying are now hanging by a thread.

Elimination in the third preliminary round would not be a disaster for Hearts, who would then enter a Conference League play-off. Win that and Wouter Vrancken’s team would reach the league phase of that competition.

But after being heavily beaten by Sturm Graz in a Champions League qualifier, Hearts will be looking to at least salvage some pride against Benfica on Thursday.

They were well beaten in the first instalment of the tie, but Hearts got off the mark for the 2026/27 campaign on Sunday, registering a morale-boosting 4-0 victory over Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership.

Needless to say, the upcoming clash with Benfica will be a stiffer test.

Hearts vs Benfica tips

Only a five-goal victory over Benfica would keep Hearts in the mix for a place in the final round of Europa League qualifying.

A bridge too far

Hearts lost the first leg of their Champions League qualifier 4-0 to Sturm Graz, before suffering a 2-0 defeat in the second leg at home.

We envisage something similar here. Benfica are a much stronger side than Hearts, which is no slight on the Scottish outfit given the vast difference in budget and European experience.

Benfica are unlikely to make too many changes to their starting XI, but even a few alterations would not level the playing field.

Benfica had plenty of joy going forward last week and their attack should prove too powerful for the Hearts backline again here.

Back Benfica to score in both halves at 10/11 with bet365

Benfica too strong

Benfica had a curious campaign under Jose Mourinho last time out. They did not lose a single game in the Primeira Liga, yet an excess of draws saw them finish third.

Former Fulham boss Marco Silva is now in charge at the Estadio da Luz. As well as targeting the title at home, Silva will be eyeing a run to the latter stages of the Europa League.

Both teams have scored in each of his four games in charge across all competitions, while there have been at least three goals in all of those matches too.

That trend is set to continue on Thursday, with a clean sheet likely to elude both Hearts and Benfica.

Choose both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 8/11 with SBK

Who will find net?

Jhon Duran is back in Western Europe after an eventful 18 months since leaving Aston Villa in January 2025.

Duran joined Al Nassr on a permanent deal back then, but he has since had loan spells at Fenerbahce, Zenit Saint Petersburg and now Benfica.

Duran could be in line to start against Hearts on Thursday following appearances off the bench in Benfica’s last three matches.

The Colombian struck against Hearts in the first leg and he can do the same in the return fixture.

Go for Jhon Duran to score any time at 10/11 with Unibet

Hearts vs Benfica predicted lineups

• Hearts expected lineup: Reus; Altena, McEntee, McCart, Miller; Kerjota, Mendy, Spittal, McPake; Braga, Ba-Sy.
• Benfica expected lineup: Trubin; Bah, Silva; Lenglet, Dahl; Barreiro, Barrenechea; Silva, Sudakov, Kaminski; Duran.

Hearts vs Benfica latest odds

Find the latest Hearts vs Benfica betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

• Hearts: 5/1 with Unibet
• Draw: 7/2 with SBK
• Benfica: 4/9 with bet365

More Europa League predictions

We have plenty more Europa League predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

Important historical facts about Hearts vs Benfica for betting

Their meeting last week was not the first time that Hearts have ever faced Benfica. In a European Cup qualifier in 1960/61, Benfica beat Hearts 5-1 on aggregate across two legs. That was the end of Hearts’ European campaign that season.

• Last meeting: Thursday 6th August; Benfica 6-1 Hearts.
• Last 6 matches: Hearts wins – 0; Benfica 3- number; Draws – 0.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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