The stage is set for Benfica v Auckland City: Forecast, Odds and Bets on Friday, 20 June 2025 at the Inter&Co Stadium in the USA. Kick-off is at 18:00 CEST for Italy, Germany, France and Spain, and 17:00 BST in the UK. Fans worldwide will be tuning in to watch the Portuguese giants SL Benfica take on New Zealand’s Auckland City FC in the second round of the revamped FIFA Club World Cup.
With the tournament featuring 8 groups of 4 teams, every match carries huge importance. Benfica, backed by their storied history and tactical nous under Bruno Lage, will be wary of Auckland City’s resilience. The underdogs, organised by Paul Posa, aim to bounce back quickly from their recent heavy defeat and cause an upset.
How are both teams coming into this?
SL Benfica arrive with a mixed but generally solid run of form. In their last five outings they’ve recorded 1 win, 3 draws and 1 loss, including a thrilling 2-2 draw with Boca Juniors that highlighted both their attacking potential and occasional defensive lapses. Under Lage’s 4-4-2 system, the Eagles have shown balance but will be keen to tighten up at the back against a team that can spring quick counters.
Auckland City FC have enjoyed a strong domestic campaign, winning 3 of their last 5 matches and drawing 1. However, the 10-0 loss to Bayern Munich still looms large. Manager Paul Posa must now regroup his squad mentally and tactically to prevent a repeat of that capitulation. Their ability to organise themselves defensively and strike on the break will be key if they are to weather Benfica’s pressure.
Our forecast
We expect a controlled performance from Benfica, who should secure a comfortable victory. Given their tendency for tight affairs recently—8 of their last 9 matches have seen under 4.5 goals—we anticipate a low-scoring game that still goes in favour of the home favourites. Auckland City’s attack may struggle against Benfica’s structured back line, making goals hard to come by.
Our primary prediction is a Benfica win, while our secondary call is that both teams will not score. With Benfica’s defensive resilience and Auckland City’s recent defensive woes, a clean sheet for the Portuguese side looks likely. Punters seeking value might also consider a Benfica -1 handicap.
Best odds
Bet365: 1.01 for a Benfica win
William Hill: 1.22 for both teams not to score
Betfair: 1.40 for Benfica -1 handicap
As we edge closer to kick-off, both coaches are expected to finalise their tactics around their trusted 4-4-2 structures. Benfica will look to control possession and exploit wide areas, while Auckland City will aim to stay compact and hit on the counter.
With lineups to be confirmed in the hours before the match, fans should keep an eye on official club channels. Until then, the prevailing wisdom points to a tidy Benfica victory in a game that’s unlikely to see a flurry of goals but promises competitive intensity throughout.
