Benfica v Fenerbahce Europa League Prediction 2nd May 2013

Benfica v Fenerbahce Betting Preview
Something has to give between the unbeaten home record of Benfica, and the unbeaten away record of Fenerbahce in this second leg. The Turkish side grabbed a 1-0 home win in the first leg and so they have something to protect after a big effort in keeping the powerful Portuguese off the scoresheet. The last time that they visited Benfica though, the Yellow Canaries were thumped 7-0.

Benfica v Fenerbahce Betting Odds at online bookmaker Ladbrokes
Benfica 4/9, Draw 15/4, Fenerbahce 6/1

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Benfica v Fenerbahce Recommended Bet:
The Portuguese side are unbeaten over their last 13 Europa League matches. A pretty impressive record that they will need to keep up. Of those thirteen matches, they have won twelve of them. Benfica’s record against Turkish clubs at home stands at a positive W3 D0 L1 record, while overall it is W3 D2 L3. How big was their defeat in Turkey in the first leg? That was their first defeat in 38 matches in all competitions this season. They are a remarkably talented side going forward, but they were frustrated out of their rhythm in the first leg and never got into top gear at all. They are unbeaten in 19 competitive fixtures at home (W17 D2) since they lost to Barcelona in Lisbon in the Champions League group stage.

They are on a five match winning streak at home in Europe, and since thumping Fenerbahce 7-0 back in 1975, Benfica have hosted Turkish opposition twice, winning one and losing one. Their big dangerman is Oscar Cardozo who has netted six goals in six starts in Europe this season. Can they break down the tough Fenerbahce defence? The Turks have not lost in six away matches in this season’s Europa League (W4 D2) and if they manage to avoid defeat on Thursday night, then they will be in their first ever European final. They will also set a record for the longest unbeaten away streak in the tournament. They take a narrow 1-0 lead to Portugal with them, knowing that a draw is enough, but it is a very narrow margin.

It could have been bigger, they missed a penalty and hit the woodwork three times in the first leg, besides bagging their goal. Fenerbahce’s record in Portugal is W1 D0 L2 and overall stands at W4 D0 L3. In their seven European matches in 2013, Fenerbahce are unbeaten, winning four and drawing three. They have averaged exactly one goal per game in those seven matches and they lack of goalscoring may hurt them in the second leg. Aykut Kocaman’s side have actually produced five clean sheets in their last seven Europa League matches, so you can see how good their defence is.

Is the Turkish defence strong enough to stand up to the pace and power of Benfica for ninety minutes? They may crack and the Portuguese really hold all the aces to play an attacking game for ninety minutes. The Turks may have had their day in the first leg and a Benfica 2-0 Correct Score could be value at 5/1 with online bookmaker Ladbrokes.

Form
Benfica WWDWLW, Fenerbahce WDWLWW

Stat Attack
Benfica have won nine of their last ten home matches
The Turkish side have five clean sheets in their last seven Europa League matches
Benfica are unbeaten in 13 home games in 3 Europa League campaigns
Turkish sides in general have won three and lost none of their last four in Portugal