Preview: Benfica Women vs. Rosengard - prediction, team news, lineups

Benfica Women and Rosengard will both look to claim their first points of the Women's Champions League group stage when they go head-to-head on Thursday.

Despite struggling in European football, Benfica have won their last three games in all competitions, while Rosengard have claimed two straight victories.

Match preview

After beating Rangers on penalties in the final round of qualifying, Benfica began the group stage with a demoralising 8-0 defeat.

Despite losing to Barcelona, they looked set to claim their first points of the competition when they took a two-goal lead against Bayern Munich thanks to Nycole Raysla and Cloe Lacasse.

However, Bayern managed to restore parity with goals from Maximiliane Rall and Georgia Stanway, and the latter managed to find the net for the second time, scoring a 98th-minute winner that condemned Benfica to a 3-2 defeat.

Although Benfica are currently sat at the bottom of the group on goal difference, they have earned the chance to claim a fourth consecutive victory after winning their last three games.

In their most recent outing, Benfica recorded a monumental 17-0 win over Moreirense in the Portuguese Cup at the weekend, but they will be aware that they will face a tougher test in Thursday's Champions League fixture.

Meanwhile, Rosengard negotiated a qualifying tie with Brann to progress to the Champions League group stage, where they are still searching for their first points.

Loreta Kullashi gave the Swedish side the lead against Bayern Munich, but goals from Carolin Simon and Linda Dallman secured the German outfit a 2-1 victory.

Although they competed well against Bayern, Thursday's visitors were brushed aside by a 4-1 scoreline when they faced Barcelona on matchday two.

Since that defeat, Rosengard have wrapped up their domestic campaign with two consecutive 3-0 victories, but the Swedish champions have not played since November 5.

Having failed to win their last four Champions League games, Rosengard know that they face a tough task to claim all three points on Thursday.

Team News

Following a promising performance against Bayern on matchday two, Benfica boss Filipa Patao could decide to select the same side that started against the German side.

Katelin Talbert will feature in goal for the hosts, while Christy Ucheibe will partner Carole Costa in central defence.

After scoring on matchday two, Raysla and Lacasse will feature in the front three, where they will be joined by Francisca Nazareth.

As for the visitors, Athinna Persson Lundgren will feature in the centre of defence alongside Gudrun Arnardottir, while Ria Oling and Jessica Wik will operate as the two full-backs.

Olivia Holdt scored Rosengard's only goal in the defeat to Barcelona, and she will be looking to provide a goal threat from midfield against Benfica.

After finishing the Allsvenskan season as Rosengard's topscorer, Olivia Schough will attempt to transfer her domestic form to the club's European campaign.

Benfica Women possible starting lineup:
Talbert; Valeria, Ucheibe, C. Costa, Alves; Faria, Pauleta, Vitoria; Nazareth, Lacasse, Rayse

Rosengard possible starting lineup:
Micah; Oling, Persson Lundgren, Arnardottir, Wik; Bredgaard, Persson, Holdt; Kullashi, Schough, Lundin

We say: Benfica Women 2-1 Rosengard

We think that Thursday's contest could be a close-fought affair, but with home advantage in their favour, we believe that Benfica will claim a narrow victory against Rosengard.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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