Predictions for the Europa League Qual. game FC St. Gallen vs. SL Benfica

FC St. Gallen - Sport Lisboa e Benfica betting tip & best odds | 23.07.2026

FC St. Gallen will host SL Benfica in the second round of the Europa League Qualifying on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at 19:00 at Kybunpark. This first-leg clash promises to be an exciting encounter as both teams vie for an advantageous position in the tournament. The match will be officiated by referee Luca Pairetto.

Our Betting Recommendations

1. **Tip 2: Away win for SL Benfica** - The Portuguese giants come into this match with a strong performance record, including a recent 2-0 victory over Villarreal CF. Given FC St. Gallen’s struggles, particularly their recent 0-3 home defeat to Norwich City, Benfica is expected to capitalize on their formidable squad. The odds for this tip are 1.45, making it a favorable option for today's football prediction.

2. Both teams to score: Yes - While Benfica is likely to dominate the match, FC St. Gallen may find the net, especially considering their attacking potential. The odds for both teams to score are 1.80, which offers good value for those looking to diversify their betting strategy.

Best Betting Odds for the Match

The odds for this encounter reflect SL Benfica’s status as favorites. The best odds for an away win can be found at Mozzart with 1.45, while the odds for FC St. Gallen to win stand at an impressive 7.37 with 1win. For those considering both teams to score, the odds are 1.80 at Easybet. Our experience with the bookmakers indicates that these odds provide excellent value, especially for a match of this magnitude. For more options, check out our best betting sites page to explore various platforms.

Current Form of FC St. Gallen

FC St. Gallen, managed by Enrico Maaßen, is coming off a disappointing 0-3 home defeat to Norwich City. This loss has raised concerns about their defensive capabilities, as they have struggled to keep clean sheets in recent matches. Overall, their last five outings include three victories and two defeats, showcasing a mixed bag of results. They will need to tighten their defense and improve their attacking finesse if they are to pose a serious threat to Benfica.

The team’s Europa League history has not been favorable either, evidenced by their previous season's 0-1 home loss to AEK Athens. With this in mind, FC St. Gallen will need to draw on their home support at Kybunpark to deliver a much-improved performance.

How is SL Benfica Currently Doing?

SL Benfica, under the guidance of Marco Silva, has been in impressive form, having won three of their last five matches and remaining unbeaten with two draws. Their latest triumph was a convincing 2-0 victory against Villarreal CF, indicating a solid attacking and defensive unit. Benfica has shown resilience, scoring consistently while maintaining a strong defensive record, which will be crucial against FC St. Gallen.

Their squad depth and experience in European competitions provide them with a significant advantage heading into this match. Benfica will be looking to secure a strong away result to set the stage for the return leg.

The Last Direct Duels

There is no available record of previous meetings between FC St. Gallen and SL Benfica, adding an element of unpredictability to this encounter. However, Benfica's overall experience in European tournaments should play a significant role in determining the outcome.

Conclusion

In conclusion, SL Benfica enters this match as the clear favorites against FC St. Gallen. Their recent form, combined with FC St. Gallen's struggles, suggests that Benfica will likely secure an away victory. However, given the unpredictability of knockout-style football, FC St. Gallen could still find opportunities to score against a potentially complacent Benfica defense.

For those looking for more sports betting action, be sure to check our betting tips for tomorrow, where you can find additional insights and predictions.