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Galatasaray vs Benfica Predictions

  • 17:55
  • Expired
  • Turk Telekom Arena
Galatasaray
Benfica

odds when tipped

odds when tipped

Galatasaray vs Benfica Predictions

Galatasaray and Benfica both dropped out of the Champions League after finishing third in their respective groups, and their reward for avoiding last place is a Europa League tie against one another. The pair would have been hoping for a kinder draw, but each will believe they have what it takes to win this competition.

Both teams shipped too many goals during the group stage of the Champions league and it proved to be their downfall, and we’re expecting that to lead to an open game on Thursday in which both teams will create goal scoring opportunities. The form of both clubs heading into the 1st leg is excellent and the pair sit second in their respective leagues following wins at the weekend. Galatasaray beat Trabzonspor 3-1 at home, while Benfica put ten passed Nacional without replay to record the biggest win of the season in the top flight of Portuguese football.

There are plenty of reasons for us to expect goals for both teams from Thursday’s game, and for at least three to be scored during the ninety minutes. Two of the three meetings between these two clubs have seen both teams scored and over 2.5 goals, both games ended in a 2-1 scoreline. Both teams have scored in three of Galatasaray’s last four matches, while over 2.5 goals two of the hosts last three home games. Both teams have scored in four of Benfica’s last six matches and their last five games have all featured over 2.5 goals, including the 10-0 win over Nacional, the 4-2 victory over Sporting, and the 5-1 defeat of Boavista. All of the above combined with the good form of both sides points towards both teams scoring and over 2.5 goals being produced in Thursday’s 1st leg.

Derdiyok top scores with two European goals for Galatasaray this season, while Fernandes, Pizzi, Grimaldo, and Salvio all netted twice for Benfica during qualifying and the group stage of the Champions League. Galatasaray need to take some kind of advantage into the 2nd leg next week as Benfica have been very strong at home this season and will certainly be the favourites to win in Portugal. We’re confident that both teams will score and over 2.5 goals will be produced in the 1st leg, and have backed Benfica to claim a narrow 2-1 win. The visitors head into the match on the back of a 10-0 win and, while that victory came against a poorer opponent than the one they face on Thursday, we believe that confidence boost will give the Portuguese side the edge.

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