Benfica did really well to soak up the pressure in Leverkusen and ended up winning the first leg 1-0, which makes them hot favourites to qualify for the next phase.

Bayer, on the other hand, are not yet ready to give up and they are hoping a triumph at Estadio da Luz will take them to the next stage.

After spending quite a few years in the shade of their arch rivals Porto, Benfica appear on the way to return to old glory days.

The Eagles have progressed a great deal under Jorge Jesus and they are now becoming regular in the final stages of top European competitions.

While Benfica are currently tied on points with Porto in Primeira Liga, they have come on the verge of qualifying for the Europa League last 16 stage, having beaten Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg.

They are now expected to finish the job in front of their own fans, so no wonder the Eagles are 1.93 (13/14) at BetVictor to emerge triumphant.

Important players Nemanja Matic and Oscar Cardozo return from domestic suspension, with the Paraguayan 2.00 (1/1) at Sportingbet to mark his return with a goal.

Boss Jorge Jesus has absolutely no selection worries and is tipped to field a much stronger line-up than the one that started the first leg.

Probable starting line-up (4-3-3): Artur – Pereira, Luisao, Garay, Melgarejo – Perez, Matic, Gaitan – Salvio, Cardozo, John.

Bayer Leverkusen have played some good football this season and they are in a good position to qualify for next year’s Champions League through league finish.

Die Werkself currently sit in third place in the Bundesliga standings, seven points clear of fifth-placed Freiburg, and I’m sure they wouldn’t mind staying there until the end of the campaign.

Their European campaign, however, is not progressing according to plan, with Sami Hyypia’s side in a very difficult position after losing the first leg to Benfica.

Bayer did well to end a four-match winless run as they defeated weak Augsburg at home, but the fact they are now 4.50 (7/2) at Paddy Power to qualify shows how big a task is ahead of them.

Starting midfielder Sidney Sam has recovered from a thigh problem, meaning Sami Hyypia will have fully fit squad to choose from.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Leno – Carvajal, Wollscheid, Toprak, Boenisch – Bender, Rolfes – Schurrle, Castro, Sam – Kiessling.

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