After losing their opening matches in what is a very evenly matched group, both Bayer Leverkusen and Benfica will be desperate for a win when they square off at Bay Arena.

Die Werkself enjoyed a very good start to the season, recording double win over FC Copenhagen to reach the Champions League group stages, while impressing on domestic stage as well.

However, the good run proved short-lived as Roger Schmidt’s men embarked on a four-match winless streak that saw them lose to Monaco while taking just two points from three league fixtures.

Die Werkself were somewhat unfortunate to suffer a defeat at Stade Louis II, and having since returned to the right track they are 1.91 (10/11) to beat Benfica on Wednesday.

After ending the barren run with a narrow win over Augsburg, Bayer Leverkusen shared spoils with Freiburg at the weekend despite playing with ten men for more than an hour, and two clean sheets in a row will certainly serve as a confidence boost.

Coach Roger Schmidt is still without Simon Rolfes, Julian Brandt and Kyriakos Papadopoulos, but there are no fresh injury worries.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Leno – Hilbert, Toprak, Spahic, Wendell – Reinartz, Bender – Bellarabi, Calhanoglu, Son – Kiessling.

SL Benfica have enjoyed some European success of late, although two Europa League final defeats have only added more substance to the Bela Guttmann curse shouts.

And while the Eagles have started the title defence in Portuguese Primeira Liga in style, creating a four-point cushion at the top, their Champions League campaign got off to a very poor start.

Benfica were beaten at home by Zenit and while there is still time to make amends for the loss, the Eagles clearly face an uphill task in an attempt to reach the knockout stages.

Jorge Jesus’ squad did well to end an eight-match winless run in away CL games as they beat Anderlecht on the road last time out, but odds of 4.50 (7/2) offered on away win at Bay Arena are enough to suggest another win is unlikely.

While goalkeeper Artur Moraes is banned for the Leverkusen game, Julio Cesar has recovered from injury and he should start between the sticks.

Jorge Jesus has no other selection worries, although Nelson Oliveira has missed the cut once again as he does not appear to be in the first team plans at the moment.

Probable starting line-up (4-1-3-1-1): Cesar – Pereira, Luisao, Jardel, Eliseu – Samaris – Salvio, Perez, Gaitan – Talisca – Lima.