In one of the most anticipated matchups of the Champions League playoff round, Super Lig giants Fenerbahce take on Portuguese powerhouse Benfica on Tuesday at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.
Fenerbahce are hoping to reach the group stage for the first time in over 15 years, while Benfica aims to secure its fifth consecutive appearance in the elite European club competition.
What the bookies say
According to leading online bookmakers such as Paddy Power, Benfica are the favourites to win this match. However, with Fenerbahce’s home advantage and the unpredictability of a playoff tie, the match is expected to be a close contest. Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho knows Benfica all too well and will be hoping his in-depth knowledge of Portuguese football works in his favour when the two sides meet tonight.
What is Paddy Power? For those curious about the company’s background, what is Paddy Power? It is an Irish gambling company founded in 1988, known for its sports betting, online casino, and often controversial marketing campaigns.
Fenerbahce’s Uphill Battle
Fenerbahce had to overcome a tough challenge in the third qualifying round, narrowly beating Dutch side Feyenoord 6-4 on aggregate.
After a 2-1 defeat on the road, they fired back with an impressive 5-2 victory at home. However, their recent form raises concerns. The team labored to a goalless draw against Goztepe in their uninspiring league opener, taking just one shot on target and getting a man sent off.
The Yellow Canaries have a poor record against Benfica, with just one win in seven meetings. Their most recent encounter was a 3-2 friendly defeat last month. Adding to their challenges, defender Rodrigo Becao remains sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury. Coach Jose Mourinho is expected to field a three-man backline with Jhon Duran and Youssef En-Nesyri leading the attack.
Benfica’s Perfect Start
Benfica, on the other hand, head into this game in perfect form. They have won all four of their matches this season across all competitions and are yet to let in a goal. The team began their campaign by lifting the Portuguese Super Cup with a 1-0 win over Sporting Lisbon. They followed that up with a convincing 4-0 aggregate victory over French side Nice in the Champions League qualifiers before securing a 1-0 win against Estrela in their league opener.
Despite their strong form, Benfica will be well aware of their historical struggles in Istanbul. They have never actually recorded a victory at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, losing twice and drawing once in their previous three visits.
Manager Bruno Lage will be without several key players due to injury, including Bruma, Manu Silva, Alexander Bah, and Tomas Araujo. However, they will be boosted by the presence of last season’s top scorer, Vangelis Pavlidis, who has already netted two goals this term. He is expected to lead the attack alongside new signing Franjo Ivanovic, who will be eager to make his mark on the European stage.
Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho knows Benfica all too well and will be hoping his in depth knowledge of Portuguese football works in his favour when the two sides meet tonight.
