Fenerbahce (Tur) vs Benfica (Por) prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Qualification betting tips on match 2025-08-19 19:00.
[p]After both opening their respective domestic campaigns at the weekend, Fenerbahçe and Benfica make a swift return to European action for this UEFA Champions League qualification play-off. [/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Fenerbahçe kicked off their Turkish Süper Lig campaign with a 0-0 draw in an ill-tempered game against Göztepe on Saturday. They missed a 94th minute penalty in that game, so boss José Mourinho will be hoping that they can quickly park that disappointment as they bid to reach the main draw of the UCL for the first time since 2008/09. They’ll have to claim a slice of history if they’re to do so, as never before have they won a UCL qualification play-off tie (L2), but having beaten Feyenoord 5-2 at home in the previous round, a home game could be the perfect tonic to get off on solid footing in this tie. [/p]
[p]Benfica got three points on the board in their first Liga Portugal outing of the season on Saturday as they beat Estrela 1-0. Victory stretched their winning competitive run this season to four matches, and their success has been built upon the foundations of a resilient defence which is still yet to concede a goal this term. Bedded within that run are a pair of 2-0 wins over Nice in the third qualifying round, results which should Benfica replicate in this tie, will see them qualify for the UCL main draw for a 15th time in 16 seasons. [/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]These two sides have met six times previously in competitive action, with Benfica shading the H2H stakes (W3, D1, L2). [/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Fenerbahçe have had fewer than 15 shots in all three of their competitive games this season.[/p]
[p]Five of Fenerbahçe’s last six UCL home qualification games saw both teams score. [/p]
[p]Only one of Benfica’s last seven competitive games saw both teams score. [/p]
[p]Benfica have scored during or before the 60th minute in all four games this season. [/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Fenerbahçe’s Youssef En Nesyri was on target in the last round and could be out for another late impact given three of his last five club goals arrived after the 80th minute. Benfica’s Fredrik Aursnes has enjoyed these qualifiers so far, contributing to three of their four goals (G1, A2) in their 4-0 aggregate win against Nice in the last round.[/p]
[p]Fenerbahçe have a near full-strength squad to choose from here but remain without long-term absentee Rodrigo Becão. Benfica aren’t far off having a full contingent available, but continue to do without Bruma and Manu Silva. [/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]With the incentive of ending their long run without main-draw UCL football, and in front of their own fans, backing Fenerbahçe to win this first leg looks a smart pick. [/p]
[p][i]Author: Chris Wilson[/i][/p]