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2nd May 2013 | Football

Benfica v Fenerbahce Tip

The Turkish side are aspiring to emulate their great rivals Galatasaray who won the UEFA Cup in 2000. They lead 1-0.

Fenerbahce have been priced up as marginal underdogs to progress to a first Europa League Cup final in their history, and given their 1-0 advantage that looks like a mistake.

Benfica are nothing longer than 10/11 (Coral) to successfully overturn the deficit at the Stadium of Light while Bet365 go a best price Evens that the Turks hold their nerve and get the job done on aggregate.

Although the hosts have a formidable record in front of their own fans, I would favour Fenerbahce for three main reasons. Firstly, they are unbeaten in six away games in this competition themselves and showed their resilience by drawing 1-1 at the Olympic Stadium in Rome against Lazio in the quarter-finals.

Secondly, they were comfortably the better side in the first leg and there was a suggestion that Benfica may be running out of steam at the end of a gruelling campaign chasing three trophies. The Turks missed a penalty and also struck the woodwork a further two times through Moussa Sow and Dirk Kuyt. 1-0 was the very least they deserved.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, an away goal could prove decisive. The knowledge that Fenerbahce would progress with a 2-1 or 3-2 defeat on the night tips the balance in their favour.

Odds correct at time of publishing: 13:08 2nd May, 2013 but subject to change

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