Galatasaray vs Benfica Predictions and Betting Tips, 14 Feb 2019

The Match Is Over. Score: 1-2

Galatasaray v Benfica Predictions for Thursday's Europa League Round of 32 first leg at the Turk Telekom Arena in Istanbul. This game is shaping up to be one of the most entertaining matches of the round, between two sides playing at their best. Read our betting analysis of this clash below.

Match status: 2018-19 Europa League Round of 32
Kick-off: Thursday 14 Feb 2019, 05:55pm GMT
Venue: Turk Telekom Arena (Istanbul)

Galatasaray v Benfica: Team News

Galatasaray come into this match on the back of 10 games unbeaten on all fronts and new signing Mbaye Diagne from Turkish side Kasimpasa is a great acquisition to add strength to Fatih Terim's centre-forward options - and who marked his debut with a goal in the 3-1 win to Trabzonspor last week.

Benfica routed Nacional 10-0 last time out and will be high on confidence ahead of Thursday's trip to Istanbul, keeping in mind that the last time they played away from they triumphed at rivals Lisbon Sporting 2-4 to make it four away victories in a row.

The hosts are on a five-game winning streak at the Turk Telekom Arena and have not lost there in last 7, scoring more than 3 goals in four of them, which makes this clash even more inviting to watch.

In their last two meetings, either side won 2-1 on home soil at what was the 2015-16 Champions League group stage which we expect to be the case here.

Teams' Potential Starting Line-ups:

Galatasaray (4-5-1): Muslera; Nagatomo, Marcao, Luyindama, Linnes; Onyekuru, Donk, Fernando, Belhanda, Feghouli; Diagne.

Benfica (4-4-2): Vlachodimos; Grimaldo, Jardel, Dias, Almeida; Cervi, Pires, Samaris, Pizzi; Felix, Seferovic.

Injured or Suspended Players:

Galatasaray: Mariano.

Benfica: Lubomir Fejsa, Tyronne Ebuehi.

Head-to-Head Record: Galatasaray v Benfica

2015-16 Champions League Group Stage
Benfica 2-1 Galatasaray

2015-16 Champions League Group Stage
Galatasaray 2-1 Benfica

2011 Club Friendly
Benfica 2-0 Galatasaray

2008-09 UEFA Cup Group Stage
Benfica 0-2 Galatasaray