Fenerbahçe host Benfica in Istanbul in the first leg of their Champions League playoff, with both sides eyeing a place in the group stage.
German referee Daniel Siebert will blow the kick-off whistle at 8:00 pm (GMT+1), and fans can catch the action live on BeIN Sports MENA, M+ Liga de Campeones, and TRT1.
The Turkish side are bidding to return to Europe’s top competition for the first time since 2008-09, while Benfica are looking to reach the groups for a fifth straight season.
Fenerbahçe beat Feyenoord in the third qualifying round, coming through 6-4 on aggregate after a 5-2 win at home. But their domestic start was less convincing, as they opened the league campaign with a goalless draw against Goztepe, managing just one shot on target.
Their recent record against Benfica is also a concern, with three defeats in their last four meetings, including a 3-2 friendly loss last month. Historically, Benfica have won four of the seven encounters between the sides, while Fenerbahçe have only one victory.
Benfica, by contrast, arrive in fine form. Bruno Lage’s men are unbeaten this season, winning all four matches in all competitions without conceding. They claimed the Portuguese Super Cup against Sporting Lisbon, beat Nice 4-0 on aggregate in Europe and opened their league campaign with a narrow win at Estrela.
Even so, the Portuguese side have never won away to Fenerbahçe, losing twice and drawing once in three visits to Istanbul.
Jose Mourinho is expected to stick with his three-man defence for Fenerbahçe, with Jhon Duran and Youssef En-Nesyri up front. Benfica are missing Bruma, Manu Silva, Alexander Bah and Tomas Araujo through injury but still boast firepower, with last season’s top scorer Vangelis Pavlidis already off the mark alongside summer signing Franjo Ivanovic.
Score Prediction:
The hosts’ home support could make it competitive, but Benfica’s sharper form, defensive solidity and proven European pedigree give them the edge in the first leg.
Let’s say Fenerbahçe 1-2 Benfica.
