Preview: Benfica vs. Fenerbahce

Turkish outfit Fenerbahce were left to rue a host of missed chances during the opening leg of their Europa League semi-final tie against Benfica last week.

Despite having hit the woodwork on three occasions and creating numerous opportunities throughout the 90 minutes, they only have a 1-0 advantage ahead of the second leg in Portugal on Thursday night.

They will be hoping that the encounter doesn't end the same way it did when they last made the trip to face Benfica back in 1975 when they slumped to a 7-0 defeat.

Any positive result that the visitors may achieve will have to be done so without the services of Mehmet Topal and Cameroon striker Pierre Webo, both of whom are suspended.

Meanwhile, hosting Benfica do not have any suspension worries, although striker Rui Fonte will be absent with a knee injury.

Fenerbahce are yet to lose in six away matches in this season's competition, while Benfica are unbeaten in 13 home games over three UEFA Europa League campaigns, winning 12 of them.

Recent form

Benfica: WDDWWW

Fenerbahce: DWDLWW

Possible starting lineups

Benfica: Moraes; Garay, Pereira, Melgarejo, Jardel; Aimar, Matic, Salvio, Gomes; Cardozo, John

Fenerbahce: Demirel; Yobo, Ziegler, Korkmaz, Gonul; Raul Meireles, Sahin, Baroni, Krasic; Kuyt, Sow

Sports Mole says: 2-1