Boca Juniors vs Benfica Prediction – June 16th
As the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup rolls on, SpookyExpress.com turns its focus to Monday evening’s intriguing Group C encounter, where South American heavyweights Boca Juniors meet Portuguese giants Benfica at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium.
With Bayern Munich reasonably favored to top the group following their ruthless 10-0 win over underdogs Auckland City on Sunday, the other two Group C contenders will view this opener as a golden opportunity to get a grip in the race for knockout qualification.
Two iconic clubs with rich continental histories now set their sights on global glory. Benfica, backed by a potent attack and Champions League pedigree, are tipped as clear favorites, but Boca’s seasoned squad and combative style could pose a real threat, especially in the Florida heat.
Benfica – European Contenders Set for Club World Cup Bow
Despite missing out on domestic silverware last season, Benfica’s strong continental record over the past four years was enough to earn them a spot at the revamped FIFA Club World Cup. Bruno Lage’s men head to Miami having finished just two points behind arch-rivals Sporting CP in the Primeira Liga, before suffering another setback with a 3-1 comeback loss to the same opponents in the Portuguese Cup final – just one week after the league campaign ended. While their end-of-season form faltered, they still arrived in the United States boasting serious attacking firepower.
The Eagles’ strength lies in their creativity and goal threat – Greece forward Vangelis Pavlidis scored 29 goals last season, while playmaker Orkun Kokcu led the Portuguese side in chances created (2.6 chances per game). Elsewhere, Argentine veterans Nicolás Otamendi and Angel Di María bring leadership and big-match experience, especially relevant against their fellow compatriots.
However, Benfica’s defense could be a vulnerability here. Injuries to first-choice right-backs Tomas Araújo and Alexander Bah reduce their depth at the flank, and their poor recent record at neutral venues (two draws and six defeats from last eight) may sow doubt.
Boca Juniors – Far From their Best But Still Dangerous
Boca return to the Club World Cup with mixed emotions. Since reaching the 2023 Copa Libertadores final, their continental form has drastically waned. The Blue and Gold failed to secure automatic qualification for the Copa Libertadores after finishing fifth in the domestic standings and were shockingly eliminated by Alianza Lima of Peru in qualifying stages earlier this year.
Domestically, Boca Juniors crashed out of the Torneo Apertura in the quarter-finals (losing 1-0 to Club Atletico Independiente), winning just once in their last four matches, including a 2-1 defeat to eternal rivals River Plate in the latest Superclásico (April).
Yet, this Boca Juniors squad is no pushover. Uruguayan forward Miguel Merentiel has directly contributed to their last four goals (2 goals, 2 assists), and the travelling party for the USA features recognizable figures such as Sergio Romero, Marcos Rojo, Ander Herrera and skipper Edinson Cavani. Even in the potential absence of veteran Cavani, there’s enough experience and quality to frustrate more fancied opposition.
A turbulent coaching change saw Miguel Ángel Russo return for a third spell in charge. Russo already guided Boca to major trophies in his previous spells, including the Copa Libertadores in 2007 and the Argentine title in 2019-20. Can he inspire a Boca resurgence on the world stage?
Possible Starting XIs of Boca Juniors and Benfica
Boca Juniors: Agustín Marchesín – Lucas Blondel, Rodrigo Battaglia, Marcos Rojo, Lautaro Blanco – Milton Delgado, Ander Herrera – Exequiel Zeballos, Carlos Palacios, Kevin Zenon – Miguel Merentiel. (4-2-3-1)
Benfica: Anatoliy Trubin – Leandro Santos, António Silva, Nicolas Otamendi, Alvaro Carreras – Fredrik Aursnes, Florentino Luís, Orkun Kokcu – Angel Di María, Vangelis Pavlidis, Kerem Akturkoglu. (4-3-3)
Boca Juniors vs Benfica Prediction
Though Benfica enter this FIFA Club World Cup clash as clear -167 favorites with EveryGame, recent form and situational factors suggest that backing them outright may be riskier than it appears. The Portuguese giants have struggled at neutral venues in recent seasons and arrive in the United States off the back of a long and taxing European campaign, while Boca Juniors – despite their inconsistent form – possess a wealth of experienced talent and a history of raising their game on big occasions.
Those backing Boca Juniors to pull off a major upset in their Group C opener can find them priced as +475 longshots, while a reasonable draw is available at +300.
With the match being played in Miami, where Boca can expect passionate vocal support from South American fans, and considering Benfica’s defensive vulnerabilities, there is significant value in backing the Argentine side to either win or draw. Taking Boca Juniors or Draw (Double Chance 1X) at +133 offers an appealing return for a resilient Boca performance – making it a smart mid-risk play with a 5/10 stake confidence rating.