A 0-0 draw in the first leg keeps both Benfica and Fenerbahce interested in qualifying for the league phase

A 0-0 draw in the first leg keeps both Benfica and Fenerbahce interested in qualifying for the league phase of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League play-off fixture. This second leg match will be played in Lisbon on Wednesday, and our prediction is that the Eagles and the Yellow Canaries are likely to deliver a game of under 2.5 goals.

With everything at stake, a single goal both could be sufficient to propel teams into the league phase of the competition. Benfica are looking for a fifth consecutive appearance in the league phase of the Champions League, while Fenerbahce are seeking a place in the top-tier competition for the first time since 2008.

Benfica have been strong with their defensive displays in recent times and will fancy their chances of swinging it past Fenerbahce. Jose Mourinho’s visitors wouldn’t want to settle for the Europa League for a second year running and will look to push the hosts all the way.

Benfica defeated Tondela 3-0 at home last weekend to extend their strong defensive record. This is their sixth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions, and with five wins in that sequence (W5, D1), the hosts will hope to make a strong push for league phase qualification.

The Eagles started their domestic campaign with five wins out of five, while winning over Nice in the third qualifying round of this competition gives them a great chance to push for a place in the league phase.

Fenerbahce followed up the first-leg draw with a 3-1 home win over Kocaelispor last weekend in the Super Lig. Interestingly, the Yellow Canaries haven’t been able to push for wins and have just two victories from their five recent games in all competitions.

They started with a 6-4 aggregate win over Feyenoord in the third qualifying round, although a 2-1 loss in the away leg of that tie casts doubts over their chances on this trip.