Arsenal Women return to UEFA Women’s Champions League action looking to build on a much-needed domestic victory and establish a more consistent run of results.
Renee Slegers’ side ended their four-match winless run across all competitions with a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, but their performances in recent weeks have highlighted areas that still need improvement.
Benfica Women travel to Meadow Park with their own European ambitions, having shown impressive form domestically. With both teams looking to strengthen their position in the league phase, Wednesday’s meeting could be an important test of Arsenal’s ability to build momentum.
Arsenal vs Benfica Women: Recent form and key statistics
Arsenal’s start to the season has been inconsistent, with their domestic performances contrasting with the expectations placed on a team competing for major honours.
The Gunners endured a difficult run before their north London derby victory, drawing with Birmingham City and suffering a 4-2 defeat to Manchester City in the Barclays Women’s Super League. They also surrendered a two-goal advantage in a 2-2 draw away to Paris FC in Europe.
Their victory over Tottenham offered a timely response. Georgia Stanway equalised after Cathinka Tandberg had given Spurs the lead, before Alessia Russo converted a second-half penalty to secure all three points.
That result should provide a confidence boost ahead of Benfica’s visit, although Arsenal will need to show greater consistency if they are to make a sustained challenge in Europe.
The Gunners have collected four points from their opening two Champions League league-phase matches, leaving them fifth in the standings. A victory would strengthen their position as they look to secure progression to the knockout stages.
However, injuries have presented Slegers with additional challenges. Mariona Caldentey’s absence has reduced Arsenal’s options in midfield and attack, while summer signing Selina Cerci has also been sidelined. The Gunners will need their available forwards to make the most of their opportunities.
Benfica, meanwhile, have demonstrated their ability to compete domestically, winning seven of their eight competitive matches this season according to the supplied form figures.
Their recent comeback victory over Sporting Lisbon was an encouraging example of their attacking quality. After Ana Dias put Sporting ahead, Nycole Raysla scored twice, with Anna Csiki also finding the net before Andreia Norton completed a 4-1 victory in the 88th minute.
Their European results have been less convincing. Benfica opened their league-phase campaign with a 2-1 win away to Juventus but subsequently suffered a 3-0 home defeat against Bayern Munich.
That leaves the Portuguese side tenth in the standings on three points, making Wednesday’s fixture an opportunity to respond against one of the competition’s strongest teams.
Benfica’s defensive record could be a particular concern. They have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last ten UEFA competition matches, a run Arsenal will hope to exploit.
The visitors have also been involved in high-scoring encounters, with their last five competitive matches producing three goals or more. Arsenal’s attacking players could therefore find opportunities, although the hosts must avoid the defensive lapses that have undermined some of their recent performances.
Arsenal vs Benfica Women: Head-to-head record and prediction
Arsenal have the advantage in the head-to-head record, having won the only previous meeting between the sides.
The Gunners claimed a 2-0 away victory against Benfica in the league phase last season, giving them a positive reference point ahead of Wednesday’s rematch.
Arsenal will also take encouragement from their recent home record in the Women’s Champions League, having won their last six matches on home soil according to the supplied pre-match statistics.
Benfica’s struggles to keep opponents out in Europe could give the hosts an opportunity to build on their domestic derby victory. However, their visitors’ strong domestic form means Arsenal cannot afford to approach the game expecting a straightforward evening.
The difference may come down to which side is more clinical in the final third. Arsenal have the quality to control the game and create chances, but they will need to turn that pressure into goals while remaining alert to Benfica’s counter-attacking threat.
With the Gunners looking to establish greater consistency and Benfica aiming to recover from their defeat to Bayern Munich, both sides have plenty to play for.
Arsenal vs Benfica Women: Predicted line-ups
Arsenal: Rodriguez; Fox, Williamson, Wubben-Moy, Hinds; Cooney-Cross, Stanway, Baum, Smith, Russo; Blackstenius
Benfica: Pauels; Amado, Testen, Gomes, Lund; Pauleta, Csiki, Møller, Raysla, Alves; Dorsin
Striver’s prediction: Arsenal Women 4-1 Benfica Women
Arsenal’s home advantage, European experience and previous victory over Benfica make them favourites heading into Wednesday’s fixture.
Benfica have shown enough attacking quality in domestic competition to suggest they can cause problems, but their recent defensive record in Europe could prove costly against an Arsenal side looking to rediscover its confidence.
If the Gunners can maintain control and take their chances, they should have enough quality to secure an important victory and build on their north London derby success.
