Real Madrid vs Benfica Lineups Today: Can Los Blancos Qualify for Knockouts?

The Santiago Bernabeu is ready to witness another one of those magical UEFA Champions League nights as Real Madrid host Benfica in the second leg of the Round of 16 Playoffs. The reverse fixture in Portugal ended in a 1-0 win for Los Blancos, thanks to a stupendous goal from Vinicius Junior.

However, the game was marred by controversy regarding Gianluca Prestianni's racist comments towards the Brazilian starlet, which adds more fuel to the fire before the two teams face each other on Wednesday.

A narrow lead is what the hosts are taking into this game, so it's still a 50-50 situation for both teams to go through. However, the absence of Jose Mourinho on the sidelines following a red card in the previous matchup might play a psychological part on the visitors.

Prestianni is also suspended for this game following the incident, so Real Madrid do have a lot of advantage on home soil today. However, one of the best strikers in the world currently, Kylian Mbappe, is unavailable for the match due to a knee injury he's been nursing.

The Frenchman would not be a part of the Real Madrid Lineup vs Benfica as a result, with the potential inclusion of Gonzalo Garcia on the cards given his recent exploits.

While SL Benfica are coming off a morale-boosting 3-0 win against AVS Futebol SAD in the Portuguese League, the same cannot be said for the Royal Whites, as they were handed a disappointing 2-1 loss by Osasuna, derailing their title charge once again.

With both teams set to battle it out with a Round of 16 place at stake, let's find out the Real Madrid vs Benfica Lineups to see who gets the nod and who's on the bench for this crucial UEFA Champions League clash.

Real Madrid vs Benfica Lineups Confirmed

Real Madrid are going with a 4-4-2 today with Vinicius Jr. and Gonzalo Garcia up top. The midfield four consists of Aurelien Tchouameni, captain Federico Valverde, Arda Guler, and Eduardo Camavinga, as usual, who are once again a part of the Real Madrid lineup for tonight.

Trent Alexander-Arnold starts the big game in the back four alongside Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, and Alvaro Carreras. The absence of Dean Huijsen due to a calf injury opens a spot for Antonio Rudiger in the Real Madrid Lineup vs Benfica, as Raul Asencio has been a regular starter this season due to Eder Militao's long-term injury.

The backline of SL Benfica remains unchanged from the previous Real Madrid vs Benfica Lineups, as Dedic continues in the right-back role while Dahl occupies the left-back position. One of the best Argentine players currently, Nicolas Otamendi, along with the 23-year old Portuguese, Tomas Araujo, are the centre-backs assigned for today.

Richard Rios and Fredrik Aursnes continue in the double pivot. Dodi Lukebakio replaces the suspended Gianluca Prestianni on the right and is accompanied by Rafa Silva and Andreas Schjelderup. Vangelis Pavlidis is the sole number nine for this game, as expected.

Real Madrid Lineup vs Benfica

Here is the confirmed Real Madrid Starting XI vs Benfica.

Courtois; Trent, Asencio, Rüdiger, Carreras; Valverde, Guler, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Gonzalo Garcia, Vinicius Jr.

Benfica Lineup vs Real Madrid

Check out the SL Benfica lineup from the high-intensity UCL game.

Trubin; Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl; Rios, Aursnes; Lukebakio, Rafa Silva, Schjelderup; Pavlidis.