Football Results

Benfica and PAOK played by four matches so far and have the same results; three wins and one draw. The difference it that Benfica won two times at the beginning of Portuguese championship, while in the previous qualifying round of the Champions League it won and drew with Fenerbahce, while PAOK played all its matches in qualifications for the Champions League; it won Basel two times, while it won and drew with Spartak Moscow. The two teams met in the Europa League 2014 and Benfica won both matches.

Benfica

Benfica had a good start of new season on both fronts, and its fans are definitely satisfied after dreadful previous season when their team won nothing as the title slipped through their fingers in the finish of season. Now, they opened the new season with two, we can say, routine victories although Guimaraes was defeated by close 3-2 in the first round, however, Benfica had a lead of 3-0 and near the of match it dropped its guard a bit.

They led a great battle with Fenerbahce in the previous qualifying round for the Champions League. It can be said that they go the most difficult possible opponent, however, they won 1-0 at home and pulled 1-1 draw from Istanbul and now Benfica is just one step away from the group phase. It defeated Boavista 2-0 away last weekend but it should be said that Benfica has problem with injuries, which is why are out of action among others Jonas, Castillo and goalkeeper Varela, while out of newcomers forward Ferreyra has made himself a place in the team.

Probable lineups Benfica: Vlachodimos – Almeida, Dias, Jardel, Grimaldo – Fejsa – Salvio, Pizzi, Fernandes, Cervi – Ferreyra

PAOK Thessaloniki

PAOK has a very difficult path toward the group phase of the Champions League but for the time being it is doing well. It has already secured a place in the group phase of the Europa League, which can console the Greek vice-champion if they fail to eliminate Benfica, which is the third big obstacle as they faced Basel, seasoned European team, in the second qualifying round. After modest 2-1 in Thessaloniki PAOK shined in Switzerland and showed that is serious about the group phase with 3-0 victory.

In the third qualifying round against Spartak they turned the result up-side down and after 0-2 they come to 3-2, and played a goalless drew in Moscow, which was the only match this season that they neither won no scored a goal, but we must add that their job was made easier as one Spartak’s player was sent off after half an hour. Now, PAOK plays the 1st leg away and that should make their job easier but the opponent is the strongest so far. Manager Lucescu rarely makes changes in the starting line-up and now we expect to see on the pitch a tried and tested team.

Probable lineups PAOK: Paschalakis – Matos, Varela, Khacheridi, Crespo – Mauricio, Canas – Limnios, Pelkas, El Kaddouri – Prijović

Verdict:

PAOK has played well in two previous qualifying rounds but Benfica is a bit stronger team and the Greeks could have problems, especially when playing away. They haven’t lost so far but we believe that Portuguese vice-champion will win in Lisbon.

Pick: Asian handicap -1 Benfica 1.77 - 77/100 @1XBet