The first leg of the Champions League 2025/26 qualifying 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 qualifying round, the club faced Feyenoord. After a 1-2 away defeat, Fenerbahce confidently defeated their opponent at home (5-2). In their last six Champions League matches, the team has recorded 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, Fenerbahce last reached the main draw of this tournament 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 games in this European competition.
- The Turks have not conceded more than one goal in regular time in 7 of their last 8 home matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Fenerbahce (4-4-2)
Irfan Can Eğribayat – Mert Müldür, Milan Skriniar, Jayden Oosterwolde, Nelson Semedo – Archie Brown, Fred, Sofyan Amrabat, Sebastian Szymanski – Jhon Duran, Youssef En-Nesyri.
Benfica
In the previous round, the team had no issues 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 four of the last Champions League editions, the Portuguese side participated in the main draw of the tournament.
- The team has 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 games in this European competition.
- The Portuguese have scored exactly 1 or 2 goals in regular time in 5 of their last 7 away matches in the Champions League.
Predicted lineup for Benfica (4-3-3)
Anatoliy Trubin – António Silva, Samuel Dall, Nicolás Otamendi, Amar Dedić – Richard Rios, Fredrik Aursnes, Enzo Barrenechea – Andreas Schjelderup, Evangelos Pavlidis, Franjo Ivanović.
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. Both teams' playing styles and statistics suggest this. Fenerbahce has failed to score only once in their last eight Champions League matches, and in three instances during this period, they scored at least two goals. In their previous home game in the Champions League, the club's players 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 side, even away from home, tends to favor attacking football and spends a lot of time in the opposition's half. Scoring goals is rarely a problem for Benfica: in the last 19 away matches in the Champions League, the club failed to breach the opponent's defense only twice, and in 12 matches during this period, the Portuguese scored at least twice. However, they do not always manage to play error-free at their own end: in 8 of their last 11 away matches in the Champions League, Benfica conceded.
I anticipate a goal exchange in this match, so my prediction: Both teams to score – yes
