Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Dachbet
In what is a heavyweight first-leg showdown on Wednesday night, Fenerbahce will welcome Benfica to Lisbon.
Fenerbahce
Starting with the hosts, mounting what was a sensational second-leg comeback on home soil last week as they eventually dragged themselves to a 6-4 aggregate win against Feyenoord, Fenerbahce know the importance of claiming a first-leg advantage here. However, forced to settle for another silver medal finish among Turkey’s elite last season, Jose Mourinho’s men are searching for some crucial stability. Failing to pick up some momentum over the weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate away at Goztepe, the Yellow Canaries are desperately searching for an immediate response in midweek. Likewise, continuing on from last season, Fenerbahce have registered just a sole clean sheet from any of their previous 14 competitive appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to March 16th.
Fenerbahce Team News
Yet to make a single appearance so far this calendar year, former Udinese defender Rodrigo Becao remains on the sidelines with a long-term knee injury. While Dutch international Jayden Oosterwolde might be set to serve a domestic suspension, the 24-year-old is free to feature here.
Opening his Champions League account with a second-leg strike against Feyenoord last week, ex-Sevilla marksman Youssef En Nesyri will spearhead Mourinho’s attack. Making his move from PSG a permanent one this summer, Milan Skriniar will start at the back.
Benfica
As for the visitors, extending on their respective Champions League qualifying adventure last week as they cruised their way to a 4-0 aggregate victory against Nice, Benfica have certainly impressed since opening up the 2025/26 campaign. Crowned Super Cup champions on July 31st as they clinched a 1-0 win against bitter domestic rivals Sporting Lisbon, Bruno Lage’s men are in the midst of what has become quite the flurry. Along with booking a Club World Cup knockout stage ticket earlier in the summer, Benfica have won all of their first four showdowns by an aggregate score of 6-0. Likewise, landing an action-packed 3-2 victory when they met Fenerbahce for a pre-season friendly on July 26th, the former Wolves boss should be excited by a trip to Istanbul here.
Benfica Team News
Both still dealing with respective long-term knee injuries, Benfica will travel over to Turkey on Wednesday night without the duo of Alexander Bah and summer recruit Manu. However, completing a permanent switch from Palmeiras last month, Richard Rios will start in the middle of the park.
Opening his domestic account after bagging the winner against Estrela over the weekend, Greek international Vangelis Pavlidis will play a leading role in the final third. Signing a new deal earlier in the summer, one-time Manchester City star Nicolas Otamendi will start at the heart of Lage’s defence.
Key Factors to Consider
- When Fenerbahce and Benfica met for a pre-season friendly on July 26th, the Eagles collected what was an action-packed 3-2 victory.
- Likewise, Benfica are unbeaten in their previous three competitive meetings against Wednesday’s hosts (two wins, one draw).
- Benfica have won their first four competitive appearances this season by an aggregate score of 6-0.
- Fenerbahce have remarkably mustered just a single clean sheet from any of their previous 14 competitive appearances across all competitions – a run that stems back to March 16th.
- All of Fenerbahce’s last six Champions League appearances have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
In what could prove to be a thrilling Champions League qualifying showdown on Wednesday night, chance could come thick and fast in Istanbul. Watching Benfica claim a 3-2 friendly victory when the two sides met on July 26th, Fenerbahce have also gained a reputation for their action-packed appearances while on European duties. Extending on their Champions League adventure last week thanks to a pulsating 6-4 aggregate win against Feyenoord, Mourinho’s side have also seen all of their previous six European matchups finish with both teams finding the net.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 2/3
Bookmaker: Dachbet
