Europa League
2013-05-02 - Benfica vs Fenerbache
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: European Europa League
Thursday 2 May 2013 - Kick Off 8:05pm
This game is live on TV
Benfica
They were the favourites to win the Europa League when the draw for the Semi Final was made, but Benfica have put themselves in a tough spot after losing 1-0 in Istanbul last week. However, it won't be all doom and gloom for the Portuguese club as they saw their woodwork rattled three times and could have been facing a larger deficit in this second leg than the one they are facing.
It is tough when you haven't scored an away goal in the first leg, but Benfica will surely feel they are strong enough at the Stadium of Light to turn the 1-0 deficit around and win the game. They have knocked out Bayer Leverkusen, Bordeaux and Newcastle United in the competition so far winning all 3 games at home. Benfica have won 8 straight home European ties in the Europa League and they have won 13 of their last 14 games here.
Benfica's loss in Turkey was the only one that they have suffered in the last 40 games in all competitions. They are unbeaten in their last 18 home games in all competitions since a 0-2 loss to Barcelona in the Champions League Group Stage and they have won 9 of their last 10 here.
Fenerbache
It is unlikely that Fenerbache will be able to catch Galatasaray in the Turkish top flight with 7 points between the City rivals, but they will have a chance to play in the Champions League next season on current form. They could already have had one foot in the Europa League Final if they had a little more luck and composure last week, especially considering they missed a penalty in that game too.
The side have only lost 1 of their 13 games in the Europa League this season, while they are unbeaten in their 6 away games in the competition. Fenerbache have won 4 of those 6 away games and they have knocked out BATE Borisov, Viktoria Plzen and Lazio in the last three Rounds of this competition.
Fenerbache have only lost 1 of their last 13 games in all competitions so will feel they have enough in themselves to get a result here at the Stadium of Light. However, that defeat did come in their last away game at Genclerbirligi and they have failed to win any of their last 3 away games in all competitions.
Head to Head
This is not the first time a Fenerbache team will be traveling to Lisbon to take on Benfica.
In the 1976 European Cup, they met in the First Round in a match that Benfica won 7-0 before losing 1-0 in Istabul in the second leg.
Prediction
This could be a pretty entertaining game, especially if we see an early goal and I do think Benfica can win the game, although not sure if that will be enough to see them through to the Final.
Lacking an away goal makes life a little more difficult, but backing Benfica to win a game with a few goals in it looks a decent shout at 2.20 being offered by Ladbrokes.
The Pick :
Benfica 2-1 Fenerbache
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Benfica to win and over 2.5 goals to be scored in the match (The Total Result) @ 2.20 (Ladbrokes)
