The second leg of the Champions League 2025/26 qualification playoff between Benfica (Portugal) and Fenerbahce (Turkey) will take place on August 27 at the Estádio da Luz. The first match ended in a 0-0 draw. Benfica vs. Fenerbahce: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Benfica
In the first match, the team managed a draw away from home (0-0). As a result, Benfica has avoided defeat for the sixth time in their last eight Champions League matches (4 wins, 2 draws). Moreover, the club has kept a clean sheet in five of those games. To advance to the main stage of this European competition, the Portuguese side needs a win. Notably, Benfica has participated in the main draw of the Champions League in the last four seasons.
- The team has not won in regular time in 5 of their last 6 home matches in the Champions League (2 draws, 3 losses).
- The club has conceded in 11 of their last 14 home games in this European competition.
- The Portuguese side has not scored more than one goal in the second half in 9 of their last 11 home matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Benfica (4-3-3)
Anatoliy Trubin – António Silva, Samuel Dall, Nicolas Otamendi, Amar Dedic – Richard Rios, Enzo Barrenechea, Florentino – Fredrik Aursnes, Evangelos Pavlidis, Kerem Akturkoglu.
Forward Bruma will miss the game due to injury. Midfielder Florentino is suspended.
Fenerbahce
After a draw in the first leg, the team has avoided defeat for the eighth time in their last ten Champions League matches (4 wins, 4 draws). However, Fenerbahce managed a clean sheet only for the second time in their last eight games in this European competition. To advance to the main stage, the Turkish side needs a win, while a draw would lead to extra time. It's worth noting that the club has not participated in the main draw of the Champions League since the 2008/09 season.
- The team has not won in regular time in 7 of their last 8 away matches in the Champions League (1 draw, 6 losses).
- The club has conceded at least two goals in 6 of their last 8 away games in this European competition.
- The Turkish side has not scored in the first half in 7 of their last 8 away matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Fenerbahce (3-5-2)
Irfan Can Eğribayat – Mert Müldür, Milan Skriniar, Jayden Oosterwolde – Archie Brown, Fred, Sofyan Amrabat, Sebastian Szymanski, Nélson Semedo – Jhon Durán, Youssef En-Nesyri.
Referee
Slavko Vincic (Slovenia)
Matches – 15 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 58;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.9;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 25;
Penalties – 13%.
Match Prediction: Benfica vs. Fenerbahce
Recently, the Portuguese side has not been impressive at home, rarely winning. In their last 11 home matches in the Champions League, Benfica has secured only two victories (3 draws, 6 losses), even losing to opponents like Real Sociedad, Salzburg, and Feyenoord. Additionally, the club has conceded nine goals in their last four home games in this European competition.
Fenerbahce, although not often successful on the road, fights for a positive result until the end. In their last five away matches in the Champions League, the team has lost three times, but none of these defeats were by more than one goal. This includes a previous encounter with Benfica at their ground in 2018, where the club lost 0-1.
The Turkish side showed in the first match that they can compete on equal terms with the Portuguese, so I expect José Mourinho's men to put up a strong fight away from home as well. My prediction: Fenerbahce with a handicap (+1.5)
