Fenerbahce vs Benfica Prediction, Preview, News, Odds: 20/8/2025

Fenerbahçe are seeking a long-awaited return to the UEFA Champions League group stage, a competition they have not featured in since the 2008/09 season. The Turkish giants enjoyed a strong run in last year’s Europa League, reaching the knockout rounds, and now find themselves just one tie away from Europe’s premier stage. Their playoff place was secured in dramatic fashion: after losing 2-1 away to Feyenoord in the first leg, José Mourinho’s men roared back in Istanbul, thrashing the Dutch side 5-2 to overturn the deficit.

Domestically, Fenerbahçe have only just begun their new campaign. The vice-champions of Turkey opened the Süper Lig season with a trip to Göztepe on Saturday, balancing their early league duties with the pressures of European qualification.

Benfica’s European Pedigree

Their opponents, Benfica, are no strangers to this stage of the competition. The Portuguese powerhouse has qualified for the Champions League round of 16 in three of the last four seasons, showcasing their consistency and experience at the highest level.

This summer has already brought silverware for the Eagles. At the end of July, they defeated rivals Sporting 1-0 to lift the Portuguese Super Cup. In qualifying, Benfica made light work of Nice, winning 2-0 away in France before sealing the tie with another 2-0 victory at home, underlining both their defensive stability and attacking sharpness.

Team News and Selection Issues

José Mourinho will once again be without Becão in defense and creative midfielder Miha Zajc Yandas, both sidelined by injury. On the positive side, new loan signing Jhon Durán (from Al-Nassr) made an instant impact, scoring in the Feyenoord rout before being forced off prematurely. Striker Youssef En-Nesyri also got on the scoresheet in that comeback win, proving Fenerbahçe’s attack still carries bite despite key summer departures.

Veteran leaders Dusan Tadic (now at Al-Wahda) and Edin Džeko (Fiorentina) both left the club, but reinforcements arrived. Fenerbahçe strengthened with full-back Brown (ex-Gent), right-back Nelson Semedo (from Wolves), and sealed permanent deals for Milan Škriniar and Sofyan Amrabat after successful loan spells.

For Benfica, head coach Bruno Lage faces his own injury concerns. Right-back Alexander Bah, midfielder Manu Silva, and winger Bruma are all ruled out. Promising defender Tomás Araújo also remains absent, having already missed the earlier qualifiers. Still, Benfica’s frontline looks dangerous: Vangelis Pavlidis, scorer of the Super Cup winner, will lead the line, supported by January signing Gustav Isaksen Ivanović (formerly of Union SG), who netted against Nice. Andreas Schjelderup and midfield orchestrator Orkun Kökçü have also been in standout form.

This summer did see departures, with Ángel Di María returning to Rosario Central and left-back Álvaro Carreras moving on to Real Madrid, but the squad remains packed with depth and quality.

Key Dynamics to Watch

The tactical battle is likely to pit Mourinho’s structured, physical setup against Benfica’s quicker, possession-oriented game. Fenerbahçe will lean on the home support at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, where the crowd atmosphere can be daunting. Yet history has not been kind to the Turks in this competition—they have won only four of their last 18 Champions League home matches.

Benfica, by contrast, have proven to be reliable travelers in Europe, collecting eight wins from their last 14 away fixtures in the Champions League. Their ability to control tempo and punish mistakes could prove decisive.

Prediction

While Fenerbahçe boast individual quality and Mourinho’s tactical nous, their uneven home record and reliance on new recruits may leave them vulnerable. Benfica’s blend of experience, recent form, and European pedigree gives them the edge.

Prediction: Fenerbahçe 1 – 3 Benfica