The talk of one of the best matchups in Europe in the playoff round of the Champions League is the match that will pit Fenerbahce against Benfica in the first leg of the match on Tuesday night in the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.
The aim of the Turkish giants is to get back to the group stage of the Champions League after last appearing in the 2008/09 period, whereas Benfica is aiming to qualify to the champions league group stage as a fifth time in a row. As each team are fighting to go to the returning leg armed with an advantage, this is bound to be a tough battle.
Match Preview
Fenerbahce qualified to this round after qualifying through an exciting-third-round match-up against Feyenoord to overcome them 6-4 in the second leg. Having lost 2-1 in the first leg match to Rotterdam, the Jose Mourinho and his men came roaring back with a resounding 5-2 triumphing at home having scored a 5 goals to 2 defeat to keep their European dream on.
But things kicked them back down to Earth domestically as they could only draw 0-0 with Goztepe, mustering only one shot on-target in a vexing tie that ended with both teams down a man.
The recent history of the Yellow Canaries against Benfica is not encouraging to read. They have suffered three defeats in the last four however one of those was a 3-2 friendly defeat last month. In total, the Portuguese team have 4 wins in 7 meetings with Fenerbahce, and Turks have been able to win only once.
Benfica in the meantime have had a flying start at the new season. The Lisbon club have not lost yet winning all four matches and they never conceded a goal. They won the Portuguese Super Cup against Sporting Lisbon 1-0, overcame Nice 4-0 on aggregate in the champions league 3rd round and started their Primeira Liga season with a tight 1-0 victory played away at Estrela.
Benfica although in good form in Europe will be cautious by the fact that they have a terrible record in Turkey, having never won in Fenerbahce in 3 attempts thus, two defeats and one draw.
Team News
Fenerbahce
Defender Rodrigo Becao is out due to cruciate ligament rupture and his future debut is not probable till next month.
Mourinho will also stay with three-man back line and will depend on Jhon Duran and Youssef En-Nesyri as the forwards.
Fred and Amrabat summer signings should lynch the middle of the pitch.
Benfica
Bruno Lage will miss Bruma, Manu Silva, Alexander Bah and Tomas Araujo through injuries.
Top scorer last season Vangelis Pavlidis (30 goals) has already registered his first goal this season and he is likely to be joined up owner by Franjo Ivanovic in the attack.
Captain Nicolas Otamendi organizes a defence that has not allowed anything yet this season.
Predicted Lineups
Fenerbahce possible XI:
Egribayat; Muldur, Skirniar, Oosterwolde; Semedo, Amrabat, Fred, Brown; Szymanski; Duran, En-Nesyri
Benfica possible XI:
Trubin; Dah, Silva, Otamendi, Dedic; Schjelderup, Barrenechea, Rios, Aursnes; Pavlidis, Ivanovic
Head-to-Head & Important Statistics
- Fenerbahce and Benfica have played seven games: in two games, the former won, in four games the latter, and there was one game of a draw.
- Benfica and Chelsea last played in competitive battle in the 2018/19 champions league qualifiers and the score was 2-1 aggregate in favor of Benfica.
- Fenerbahce have had 12 matches with Portuguese teams where they have won five times, drawn once and lost in six occasions.
- Benfica have had 17 matches with the Turkish teams with seven wins, six draws and four losses.
- Benfica lost both times when at Fenerbahce (with a draw).
Prediction
It is a very intriguing contest between a Fenerbahce team that want to get back to top level football in Europe and a Benfica team that have been amongst the most consistent teams in this competition.
The struggles of Benfica in Turkey, and the home record of Fenerbahce make it likely that the hosts will complicate the visitors work. But the defensive strength and attacking prowess of Benfica can enable the team to maintain the match at a fine balance before the second leg.
We say: Fenerbahce 1-1 Benfica
