Benfica vs Auckland City Predictions

Benfica vs Auckland City predictions ahead of this clash at the Club World Cup. Benfica face Auckland City in Orlando on Friday, seeking a crucial win after drawing their Club World Cup opener. Read on for our free betting tips and predictions.

Club World Cup | June 20 2025 at 5:00 pm UK at Inter and Co Stadium

Benfica vs Auckland City Predictions

Could This Be Another Night of Pain for Auckland or a Chance to Salvage Some Pride?

• Benfica’s Firepower vs Fragility
  • The Portuguese side scored 84 league goals last season and have found the net in every match this year except one—against Barcelona.
• Auckland’s Defensive Collapse
  • Conceding 10 goals and 17 shots on target against Bayern, Auckland looked every bit a team out of its depth and struggling to cope with elite opposition.
• Motivation Meets Opportunity
  • With goal difference likely to be decisive in Group C, Benfica will be laser-focused on running up the score against the weakest team in the group.

Best Bet for Benfica vs Auckland City

On Friday evening in Orlando, we’re about to witness what feels like a footballing mismatch on paper—Benfica, bruised but buoyed after clawing their way back against Boca Juniors, take on a reeling Auckland City side still licking their wounds from a 10-goal humiliation. But as always in football, the scoreboard is reset at kick-off, and while expectations are wildly lopsided, there’s still a game to be played, and reputations to be defended.

Benfica didn’t quite explode out of the blocks in their opener. They needed every ounce of veteran grit and composure to grab a 2-2 draw after falling behind by two goals. The comeback had an Argentinian flavour: Di Maria pulled one back from the spot, while Otamendi—fresh from winning the penalty and irritating Boca fans—headed home the equaliser. Even with a man down following Andrea Belotti’s clumsy dismissal, Benfica managed to hold their own and walked away with something that might just prove precious later.

Auckland City, meanwhile, were not so lucky. Let’s be honest—“shellshocked” doesn’t begin to cover it. Torn apart by Bayern Munich, they conceded four goals before the fans had even settled into their seats. The final scoreline read 10-0, a result that etched their name in the wrong kind of Club World Cup history. It was brutal, it was humbling, and it raised real concerns about whether they can offer any resistance against this level of opposition.

Best Bet for Benfica vs Auckland City: Benfica to Win with a -5 Handicap

At BettingTips4You.com, we make life simpler for our readers. No complicated menus of five or six picks. Just one tip. The best one. The sharpest angle. Benfica to win with a -5 handicap is the standout choice here—and believe us, we sifted through them all.

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Why is this our one and only tip? Look, there’s no polite way to say it—this match looks destined to be one-sided. Auckland may be Oceania’s most decorated side, but at this level, they’re cannon fodder. Against Bayern, they faced 17 shots on target. Not total attempts—on target. Their keeper was basically a shooting gallery mannequin for 90 minutes.

Benfica, on the other hand, have plenty to play for. With Boca and Bayern still in the group, goal difference could decide who progresses. That’s why we expect them to go for the jugular. Belotti is suspended, yes, but Vangelis Pavlidis is more than capable of stepping in. The Greek forward was one of the top scorers in Portugal last season and should relish facing defenders who aren’t used to marking players of his calibre.

Players like Schjelderup and Akturkoglu, who were either benched or rested against Boca, could start here. And what better opportunity for them to stake their claim for a permanent spot than by terrorising a team who conceded double figures last week?

The New Zealanders will no doubt set up deeper this time, probably with five across the back and Myer Bevan ploughing a lonely furrow up front. But parking the bus only helps if the bus has brakes, and right now, Auckland look like a side stuck in neutral.

“Benfica are chasing goals, not just points. With Auckland’s defence in tatters, this could be a numbers game – and we think six or more isn’t out of the question.”
– BettingTips4You.com expert Gerard Gabasa

So yes, backing Benfica to cover a -5 handicap might sound audacious at first glance, but considering the gulf in quality, motivation and momentum, it’s frankly the most rational way to play this one.

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Predicted Score: Benfica 6-0 Auckland City

We’re going one fewer than Bayern, but only just. Benfica need goals, and they’ll find plenty. Auckland might tighten things marginally, but it won’t be nearly enough to stop the flood.

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