TipResumen

BENFICA

Winning the Portuguese title four years in a row had given Benfica a direct entry into the Champions League Group Stage, but 2017/18 was a less successful season as they finished behind Porto domestically. That means Benfica will have to go through the tough Champions League Qualifiers to return to the Champions League Group Stage beginning with what looks the best of the Third Qualifying Round ties. There has been some success for Benfica in the Champions League and Europa League in recent years as they have made the Final of the latter in 2013 and 2014 and the Knock Out Rounds of the Champions League in 2016 and 2017. Last season was much tougher in the Champions League though as Benfica lost all 6 Group games played which means they have won just 2 of their last 8 home Champions League fixtures. Like many clubs Benfica have been playing plenty of pre-season friendlies to get into shape for the upcoming season. The domestic campaign does begin this weekend so there will be no excuses for any failure to reach the Champions League Group Stage, and Benfica did end last season winning 7 of their final 9 games at home. The couple of exceptions were both defeats though.



FENERBAHCE

Some may be surprised to hear that Fenerbahce have not won the Turkish League since 2014 but even more of a surprise is the fact they have not played in the Champions League Group Stage for TEN years. They are looking to make up for that long wait by finally getting through the tough Qualifiers to make the Groups, but Fenerbahce will be the first to tell you how difficult this tie is going to be. You would have to think Benfica was the last choice for Fenerbahce in the Third Qualifying Round draw and it is going to be difficult for the Turkish side to join rivals Galatasaray in the Champions League Groups. They didn't even make the Europa League Group Stage last season having been beaten by Vardar in the Play Off Round Qualifiers, while Fenerbahce have lost 5 of their last 9 away European fixtures. Fenerbahce have been preparing for this Champions League Qualifier by playing a bunch of friendly games as their own domestic League will begin this weekend like opponents Benfica. The side did end last season with 5 consecutive away wins in all competitions, although this may be a much tougher task for them in Lisbon.



HEAD TO HEAD

Benfica and Fenerbahce will meet for the third time in Lisbon and Benfica will be looking for a third straight win having beaten Fenerbahce in 1975 and then in the 2013 Europa League Semi Final. Benfica also won both of those Knock Out ties against Fenerbahce despite losing the Leg in Istanbul both times.



PREDICTION

This looks the best of the Champions League Third Qualifying Round ties that are due to be played over the next eight days and both Benfica and Fenerbahce will believe the winner will be good enough to go on and reach the Group Stage of the competition. There should be a lot of respect between these two clubs who will recognise the challenge that is in front of them. Home advantage is going to be key in determining which of these clubs will make it through to the Play Off Round of the Qualifiers and Benfica have to have an advantage to take to Istanbul. Benfica are coming in off a tough campaign where they lost their grip on the Portuguese title after 4 consecutive wins and were embarrassed in the Champions League Group Stage having lost all 6 games. It wasn't a tremendously difficult Group with Manchester United, Basel and CSKA Moscow making up the quartet so there is a feeling Benfica slipped from their recent high standards. However this is a squad with some real quality in it and Fenerbahce have not exactly been a great travelling team in Europe having lost 5 of their last 9 away from home. Fenerbahce also tend to concede too many goals in those away games and I think it is going to be worth backing Benfica to cover the Asian Handicap in the First Leg.