Benfica vs Besiktas: Preview and Prediction

Benfica vs Besiktas
UEFA Champions League – Group B
Date: Tuesday, 13th September, 2016,
Kick-Off: 19:45 UK,
Venue: Estadio da Luz (Lisbon).

Benfica host Turkish outfit Besiktas in their opening Group B clash of the UEFA Champions League 2016/17.

Benfica bowed out of the 2015/16 Champions League with a thrilling 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich in the second leg of the quarter-finals, after losing the away leg by a solitary goal. The Portuguese outfit are in the seventh consecutive season in the tournament and reached the quarter finals on two occasions. They also met a Turkish opposition in Galatasaray last season, winning the home leg 2-1 before losing the away leg by the same margin.

Besiktas are returning to UEFA Champions League after missing out on the previous 6 seasons. They finished bottom of their group in the latest appearance on 2009/10 with one win from their 6 matches. They did grab a memorable 1-0 win on the final match day during that time. They haven’t progressed beyond the group phase in their last five appearances.

The two other teams of Group B in the 2016/17 edition of UEFA Champions League areDynamo Kiev and Napoli.

Benfica vs Besiktas: Head-to-Head Stats

This will be the first competitive meeting between Benfica and Besiktas.

Benfica have met Turkish sides on 11 occasions and they won 5 and draws 2 against 4 losses. They have pretty strong record at home with 5 wins and a loss in 6 meetings.

Besiktas have managed only 2 wins from their 9 meetings with clubs from Portugal, as they lost 5 and drawn 2. Both the wins have come in their visits to Portugal, while they draw 1 and lost 2 of the 5 away games.

Benfica vs Besiktas: Prediction

Benfica are a quality side, especially while playing at home. They started last year’s competition with back-to-back wins, one of which was away at Atletico Madrid. It is fair to say that Besiktas are nervous starters and failed to win in all of their previous matchday one fixtures in the Champions League. The home side are strong favourites and they must be able to negotiate the Turkish opposition without much trouble.