AC Milan welcome Benfica to the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on Wednesday, September 16, for their opening league-phase fixture of the 2026-27 UEFA Europa League. Kick-off in Milano is scheduled for 19:00 local time. Milan return to European competition after a one-year absence and begin this campaign unbeaten across their last five matches, while Benfica arrive with seven consecutive victories in all competitions. The Europa League ranking currently places Benfica eighth and AC Milan ninth, underlining how evenly matched this contest could be. However, the visitors possess the stronger recent winning sequence and have been particularly productive in front of goal. Milan's home record in Europe and their own attacking numbers suggest that the Portuguese side should also face a demanding challenge.

AC Milan Recent Form and Key Statistics

AC Milan had to recover from a two-goal deficit in their most recent Serie A match, earning a 2-2 draw away to Lazio on September 12. That result followed a 1-1 draw against Juventus, meaning the Rossoneri have now shared the points in two successive games. Their broader five-match record remains encouraging, with three victories, two draws and no defeats.

The hosts have averaged 2.2 goals scored per match across that five-game sample, while conceding 1.2. Those figures indicate that Milan have been capable of creating consistently, although the four goals conceded across their latest two draws show that their opponents have also found opportunities. Their only home match of the season produced a 2-0 victory over Venezia.

European home form offers another source of confidence. Milan are unbeaten in their last four continental fixtures at home, recording three wins and one draw, and they have won six of their previous nine European home games. At the same time, seven of their last ten home matches in European competition featured goals from both teams. That combination points to a side that is difficult to overcome at this venue but not always able to shut out visiting opposition.

The available information states that Milan have a fully fit squad. Diego Moreira is pushing for a starting place ahead of Pervis Estupinian, while changes in attack are also possible. Goncalo Ramos, a former Benfica player, is an option to lead the forward line, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Alexis Saelemaekers among the attacking support choices. Another notable statistical pattern is that fewer than 10.5 corners have been taken in each of Milan's last 15 matches.

Benfica Recent Form and Key Statistics

Benfica travel to Italy in outstanding form after defeating Gil Vicente 3-1 on September 13. That success extended their winning run to seven matches in all competitions. Their last five outings have all ended in victory, with an average of 3.0 goals scored and only 0.6 conceded per match.

The Eagles entered the Europa League league phase through qualifying, beginning their route in the second round. Their progression included a 6-2 aggregate victory over Aarhus, with Benfica winning both legs 3-1. Their Europa League campaign to this point has produced four wins, one draw and one defeat, alongside averages of 3.2 goals scored and 1.0 conceded. They have scored at least three times in six of their previous seven fixtures in all competitions.

The visitors' scoring consistency stretches well beyond their latest winning streak. At least one Benfica goal has been recorded in each of their last 25 matches, while all 25 of those fixtures produced more than 1.5 total goals. The same total-goals threshold has been cleared in their last 14 away games, and Benfica have scored in every match during that sequence. They have also registered a second-half goal in each of those 14 trips.

Benfica have won their last four away matches and avoided defeat in 22 of their previous 23 games. Their first-half record provides another important angle: they have not been behind at the interval in 20 consecutive fixtures and have led at half-time in nine of the last 11. However, seven of their previous eight Europa League away matches were level at the break, showing that their broader first-half dominance has not always translated directly to this competition.

Vangelis Pavlidis has scored four goals across his last four Benfica appearances and represents a major attacking threat. Andreas Schjelderup has contributed one goal and two assists over his latest two games, while Rafa Silva is another available wide option. Joao Palhinha came off the bench in the victory over Gil Vicente and could be considered for a larger role. The visitors have an almost complete squad, although right-back Alexander Bah is confirmed as unavailable.

AC Milan vs Benfica Match Analysis

This Europa League encounter brings together two unbeaten recent records, but Benfica's run contains more victories and significantly stronger scoring averages. The visitors have won all of their last five matches, whereas Milan have followed three wins with two consecutive draws. Benfica's four straight away victories also show that their current momentum has not been limited to home fixtures.

Milan nevertheless have convincing reasons to approach the match with confidence. They have avoided defeat in their last four European home games and won six of the previous nine. Their average of 2.2 goals across the last five matches suggests they possess enough attacking output to test a Benfica defence conceding an average of one goal per Europa League game.

The available probabilities give Benfica a 44% chance of victory, compared with 32% for AC Milan and 24% for the draw. Goals are also strongly represented in the data: over 2.5 goals carries a 59% probability, while both teams scoring is rated at 57%. The head-to-head summary is perfectly balanced at one win each and one draw, with both sides averaging 1.0 goal scored and 1.0 conceded. Their latest recorded meeting ended 0-1 on July 28, 2019.

The most persuasive theme is the attacking potential on both sides. Benfica have scored in 25 consecutive matches and regularly reach three goals, but Milan are unbeaten, productive at home and have seen both teams score in seven of their last ten European home fixtures. A competitive game with opportunities at both ends therefore fits the recent evidence surrounding these teams.

AC Milan vs Benfica prediction from BetMines: Both Teams To Score (Yes) with 57% probability.