The 2018/19 UEFA Champions League qualifying has reached the crucial playoff stage. This is the final round of games before the group draw and all 12 remaining teams will be hoping their name is in the hat.
There are some cracking matches to look forward to this week and arguably the pick of the games is between Benfica and PAOK in Lisbon. Benfica have plenty of experience when it comes to playing in the Champions league group stages but only one team can progress this season.
Benfica finished runners-up to Porto in the Portuguese league last season and therefore entered the Champions League at the third qualifying round. They met Fenerbahce of Turkey in what was always going to be a close tie and won the home leg 1-0 before playing out a 1-1 draw in Istanbul to qualify for the playoffs.
The record 36-time champions of Portugal have also played two league matches this season, winning both to sit joint top of the table.
Trends show Benfica have a strong home record and have won nine of their last eleven games in all competitions at the Stadium of Light. Benfica have scored at least once in thirteen of their last fourteen home matches and are often entertaining to watch.
However, home wins have been more difficult to come by in the Champions league recently. Benfica have won only three of their last nine home Champions League matches and have failed to keep a clean sheet in four of their last five.
PAOK enjoyed a good 2017/18 season in Greece, finishing second in the Greek Super League and winning the Greek Cup. Their second place finish in the league was good enough to send them through to the second round of qualifying for the Champions League this season.
Having drawn Basel, PAOK won the first leg 2-1 and produced a sensational performance in the second leg to win 3-0 and take the tie 5-1 on aggregate. They met Spartak Moscow in the third qualifying round and again won the first leg 3-2 on home soil before playing out a 0-0 draw in Russia.
Trends show PAOK have a great away record having won thirteen of their last fifteen away matches in all competitions. They are undefeated in their previous six away Champions league matches, winning one and drawing five. Interestingly, four of those five draws were 1-1.
Team news and Benfica will definitely be without the injured duo of Filip Krovinovic and Tyronne Ebuehi. The Portuguese also have doubts over striker Jonas and forward Nicolas Castillo.
PAOK began their preparations on Saturday and Omar El Kaddouri missed the session as he continues his recovery from injury. The Moroccan midfielder is unlikely to play any part in the match but every other player should be available.
This is a huge game for both teams and while Benfica defeated Fenerbahce 1-0 at home in the previous round they could find it difficult to keep a clean sheet in this game. A home win with both teams scoring is a distinct possibility.