The first leg of the 2025/26 Champions League qualification playoff between Fenerbahce (Turkey) and Benfica (Portugal) will take place on August 20 at the Fenerbahce Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in Istanbul. Fenerbahce vs. Benfica: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Fenerbahce
In the previous qualification round, the club faced Feyenoord. After a 1-2 defeat away, Fenerbahce confidently defeated their opponent at home (5-2). In their last six Champions League matches, the team has secured four victories, extending their scoring streak in this European competition to seven games. However, for the first time since the 2007/08 season, the club conceded at least two goals in two consecutive Champions League matches. Notably, the last time Fenerbahce reached the main draw of this tournament was in 2008.
- The club has not lost in regular time in their last eight home matches in the Champions League (4 wins, 4 draws).
- The team scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in 90 minutes in 6 of their last 8 home matches in this European competition.
- The Turks have not conceded more than one goal in regular time in 7 of their last 8 home Champions League matches.
Predicted lineup for Fenerbahce (3-5-2)
Irfan Can Eğribayat – Yusuf Akçicek, Milan Skriniar, Jayden Oosterwolde – Archie Brown, Fred, Sofyan Amrabat, Sebastian Szymanski, Nélson Semedo – Jhon Durán, Youssef En-Nesyri.
Benfica
In the previous round, the team had no trouble against Nice, winning both matches (2-0, 2-0). Benfica achieved two consecutive clean-sheet victories in the Champions League for only the second time in the last three seasons. Notably, in their last eight matches in this European competition, the club failed to score only once. Additionally, in the last four Champions League seasons, the Portuguese team participated in the main draw of the tournament.
- The team won in regular time in 6 of their last 8 away matches in the Champions League.
- The club conceded in 90 minutes in 8 of their last 11 away matches in this European competition.
- The Portuguese team scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in regular time in 5 of their last 7 away Champions League matches.
Predicted lineup for Benfica (4-3-3)
Anatoliy Trubin – António Silva, Samuel Dall, Nicolás Otamendi, Amar Dedic – Richard Rios, Fredrik Aursnes, Enzo Barrenechea – Andreas Skjellerup, Evangelos Pavlidis, Franjo Ivanovic.
Defender Alexander Bah, midfielder Manu Silva, and forward Bruma will not play due to injuries.
Referee
Daniel Siebert (Germany)
Matches – 14 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 62;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.4;
Red cards shown – 5;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 14%.
Fenerbahce vs. Benfica: Match Prediction
I expect an exciting and open match from this encounter. The playing style and statistics of both teams suggest this. Fenerbahce has only failed to score once in their last eight Champions League matches, scoring at least two goals in three of those games. In their previous home Champions League match, the club even scored five times. However, the Turks cannot boast a reliable defense: in 6 of their last 8 matches in this European competition, the team failed to keep a clean sheet.
The Portuguese team even prefers attacking football on the road, spending a lot of time in the forward line. Scoring goals is rarely a problem for Benfica: in their last 19 away Champions League matches, the club failed to break through the opponent's defense only twice, and in 12 of those games, the Portuguese team scored at least twice. However, they do not always manage to play error-free at their own goal: in 8 of their last 11 away Champions League matches, Benfica conceded.
I anticipate both teams to score in this match, so my prediction: Both teams to score – Yes
