Benfica vs Fenerbahce: Tips, Odds, and Match Preview

Benfica and Fenerbahce will meet again after the scoreless draw in the first leg last week. These two teams come into this matchup at Estádio da Luz in high spirits. While The Eagles delivered a 3-0 home win over Tondela in the latest round of the Portugal Primeira Liga, Fenerbahce did the same against Kocaelispor, securing a comfortable 3-1 victory after recording back-to-back draws in their previous two competitive matches.

The winner of this tie will move to the league phase of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, whereas the loser will have to play in the same stage but in the Europa League. Both teams have tasted the feeling of victory in the European stage this season, as Benfica moved into this stage after defeating Nice by a 4-0 aggregate score following consecutive 2-0 wins at home and away. At the other end, we find Fenerbahce, who dispatched Feyenoord by a 6-3 combined over the two legs, winning at home by losing in Rotterdam.

Benfica looking to close things out at home

Even though Benfica couldn’t secure the advantage in the first leg of this tie, there’s no question Bruno Lage’s men should feel confident about their chances at home. Coming away with a draw and a clean sheet from Istanbul, one of the toughest places to play in European football, will certainly feel like a victory for the Eagles, who have posted an impressive record so far in 2025-26.

Benfica have played six competitive matches to date this season, going W5 and D1 while keeping a clean sheet in all six of their games. Plus, they haven’t lost any of their previous three competitive matches against Fenerbahce at home in their history, with matches spanning between 1975 and 2018. The last time these two sides met in European play was in the qualifying stages of the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League, with Benfica winning the respective home leg by a 1-0 score.

Benfica Injury & Suspension News

Benfica will be without Florentino Luis due to suspension, meaning Enzo Barrenechea and Richard Rios are likely to play in central midfield in Lage’s 4-4-2 approach. Bruma (Achilles), Manu (knee) and Alexander Bah (knee) are all recovering from long-term injuries.

“The Special One” looking to deliver another upset

Fenerbahce’s manager, Jose Mourinho, knows a thing or two about delivering upsets in the European stage, so he must be getting his troops ready for this 90-minute battle in Lisbon. At the very least, though, Fenerbahce are traveling with the confidence of getting a win. They secured a 3-1 victory over Kocaelispor following back-to-back scoreless draws against Göztepe and in the first leg of this tie.

The win over Kocaelispor means they’ve now avoided defeat in their last four competitive matches (W2, D2), although their most recent loss came on the road at Feyenoord in the previous round of the UCL qualifiers (L 2-1). With only one point out of six away from home this season, anything less than a well-rounded performance will prevent Fenerbahce from securing the upset against a Benfica side that has yet to lose a competitive match this season.

Fenerbahce Injury & Suspension News

The Turkish club won’t have Edson Alvarez, who’s not registered for this tie, and they’re also missing some long-term injured players. The long of absentees includes Cenk Tosun, Rodrigo Becao, Diego Carlos, Dorgeles Nene, Ognjen Mimovic and Mert Yandas.

Benfica vs Fenerbahce Prediction

Fenerbahce have found the back of the net just once in their previous three contests, so they’re not exactly a dominant force on the attacking end, while Benfica are on a run of six straight games with a clean sheet. Thus, and especially considering what’s at stake here, don’t expect an open matchup. This one is likely to end with under 2.5 total goals.

CryptoGamba tip: Under 2.5 total goals – 2.02 @ BC.Game