Apart from a 2-3 loss at Serie A high-flyers Napoli in the Uefa Cup first round (which they won on agg, winning 2-0 at home), Benfica haven’t lost this season; in 6 league or European games at home, they have dropped points only once (1-1 vs Porto).

Now under Spanish manager Quique Flores, they should be able to mount a strong challenge for the Liga Sagres this season and they have 15 points from their first 7 league games so far.

Galatasaray too should be there or thereabouts at the end of the Turkish season in their defence of the title, but much may rest on their home form as they look poor on their travels.

At home they have taken 6 wins and 2 draws so far, but away from home, they have not been the same side; while their record of 2-2-3 away from home does not look too terrible, considering that their only wins were against Swiss side Bellinzona (4-3) and bottom-placed Turkish side Kocaelispor (4-1), they should be fearful of the trip to Lisbon.

The Turkish champions have two losses and a draw from their last 3 away games and with Benfica looking impressive at home, the home win is on the short-side at $1.67 from Bet365, but it should arguably be out of sight and could be the bet.

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Bet: Benfica to win Odds: $1.67 Stake: 7.5pts Bookies: Bet365

Match Betting Previews 4-6 November 2008 >>> Champions League: Group A: Cluj v Bordeaux - AS Roma v Chelsea Group B: Anorthosis v Inter - Werder v Panathinaikos Group C: Barcelona v Basel - Sporting v Shakhtar Group D: Liverpool v Atletico - Marseille v PSV Group E: AaB v Villarreal - Celtic v Man United Group F: Fiorentina v Bayern - Lyon v Steaua Group G: Arsenal v Fenerbahce - Dynamo Kyiv v FC Porto Group H: BATE v Zenit - Real Madrid v Juventus UEFA Cup: Group A: Man City v Twente Group B: Racing v Schalke Group C: Benfica v Galatasaray Group D: Milan v Braga Group E: St Etienne v Rosenborg