Boca Juniors vs SL Benfica (17-06-2025) – Preview, Head to Head Stats, Prediction and Betting Tips.

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 bursts into life as Boca Juniors lock horns with SL Benfica on June 17, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in a Group C opener that pits South American passion against European finesse. This historic first meeting in a major tournament promises a gripping start with both sides hungry for an early advantage.

Team Form

Boca Juniors approach this clash with a season of ups and downs, boasting 20 wins in their last 37 matches and an enviable home record of 14 victories in 19 games. Their attack has netted 55 goals at 1.49 per game, hitting the target in 73% of recent outings, though a conversion rate of just 37% from 452 shots—half from distance—highlights their profligacy. Defensively, they’ve been a rock, conceding only 29 goals across those 37 games at 0.78 per match, a testament to their structured backline as they face Benfica in this Boca Juniors vs SL Benfica showdown.

SL Benfica, on the other hand, ride a wave of confidence with an unbeaten run of six games, mixing three wins with three draws. Their attack has been a force, racking up 135 goals in 56 matches at 2.41 per game, including several five- or six-goal hauls, and scoring in 91% of their fixtures. Defensively, they’ve shipped 50 goals but notched 26 clean sheets, bolstered by 55% possession and 84% passing accuracy, making them a balanced threat in the FIFA Club World Cup.

Stats or Trends

This encounter blends Boca’s gritty resilience with Benfica’s clinical edge, a classic FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group stage narrative. Boca’s 64.76 dangerous attacks per game contrast with Benfica’s 16.93 shots on target from 948 attempts, hinting at a tactical battle. Both sides boast stout defenses—Boca at 0.78 goals conceded per game, Benfica at 0.89—suggesting a tight affair, though Benfica’s higher goal tally could test Boca’s resolve.

Injuries or Players to Watch

Boca will rely on their defensive stalwarts to stifle Benfica’s attack, with a midfielder capable of launching quick breaks potentially decisive. Up top, their forwards will need to sharpen their finishing. For Benfica, their possession maestros will control the tempo, while a striker with a nose for goal could exploit any Boca lapse. No specific injuries are noted, but both managers will lean on their key playmakers to shine.

Prediction

This Group C opener looks set for a tense stalemate, with both teams’ defensive solidity pointing to a 1-1 draw as the likely outcome. Boca’s home-like support and Benfica’s recent form balance the scales, with a 58% chance of under 2.5 goals. Expect Benfica to edge the first half, only for Boca to fight back, setting up a draw. For more on this and other tomorrow’s match predictions like Flamengo vs Esperance or Ulsan Hyundai FC vs Mamelodi Sundowns, it’s a day of footballing intrigue.