St Gallen vs Benfica Predictions

• Six of Benfica’s final seven games last season saw both teams score
• BTTS landed in St Gallen’s six League Phase games in the Conference League in 2024/25
• The hosts started their campaign with a 6-3 friendly loss to Lyon

Benfica begin long road to Frankfurt

A little over a year ago, Benfica were facing off with the likes of Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors in the Club World Cup. Now, just months after a Champions League clash with Real Madrid, their season starts with a Europa League qualifier in Switzerland.

Thursday’s trip marks Marco Silva’s first competitive game in charge. The former Fulham boss will be aiming to guide the Eagles to their first European trophy since 1962, but they face a long path to the final in Frankfurt next spring.

St Gallen’s last European action came in 2024, when they lost at home to Fiorentina and Vitoria Guimaraes in the Conference League. All six of their League Phase ties saw both teams score, and they can expect more of the same against Benfica.

Even under Jose Mourinho, the Eagles struggled to look defensively solid. Silva will look to make his side more forward-thinking, but that could lead to chances for the Swiss side.

St Gallen’s five matches after the Swiss league split last term saw BTTS land on four occasions, and they failed to keep a clean sheet. Their preseason campaign began with a 6-3 loss to Lyon, and this could be another high-scoring defeat.