Back Benfica side to perform miracles in Leverkusen

 

Jonno Turner scours the continent and selects two winners from the Europa League second round to continue his good form this week.

 

There's plenty of action to pick from this evening - and we're off to White Hart Lane for our first selection, as Tottenham Hotspur welcome Lyon to north London in the first leg of their Europa League tie.

 

Andre Villas Boas' side have lost just one of their last 12 outings, and will be keen to extend that impressive form in order to secure a vital win whilst they have home advantage here.

 

Eight wins from 10 on their own patch will have the hosts full of confidence in this tie, and the home boss is likely to welcome back Jan Vertonghen, Emmanuel Adebayor and Benoit Assou-Ekotto to freshen up a side which has smashed nine goals in four outings at White Hart Lane.

 

Fourth place Spurs will be keen to put in a positive performance here in order to add weight to claims that they are ready to compete with Champions League sides in the near future.

 

Lyon travel to London having won just two of their last six clashes - and Remi Garde is likely to make changes to a side which lost 3-1 at home to Lille last weekend.

 

Les Gones won their qualification group in impressive fashion, taking 16 points from a possible 18 - but their results have been on the slide since then, and seven without a win in 11 away from Stade de Gerland suggests that they may struggle against a Spurs side full of momentum.

 

Just two clean sheets from 16 games indicates that the hosts are likely to be presented with a chance or two - and in a tie where goals are vital, I think that could be a major factor in deciding which of these two sides makes the Quarter Finals.

 

Bet 1: Tottenham Hotspur (HOME) @ 1.8

 

Staying in this competition now, but turning our attentions to Germany, as Bayer Leverkusen host Portuguese side Benfica at the BayArena.

 

The home side have been in sparkling form in the group stages of this cup, and progressed through to the knockouts unbeaten in front of their own fans (they didn't concede a goal either).

 

But recent results suggest that Sami Hyypia's side could be susceptible against a confident Benfica side this evening - and the Lions have not won in their last three outings ahead of this one.

 

Six goals shipped in their last two Bundesliga games suggests that the hosts need to shape up in defence, and that leaves the door open for their visitors to nick a vital away notch.

 

Benfica travel to Germany with nearly a full squad to choose from - just Pablo Aimar and Carlos Martins miss out in this one - and boss Jorge Jesus will be keen for his side to extend a run which has seen them unbeaten since the end of October, a total of 22 games.

 

The Estadio de Luz side have won 18 of those ties, and just two losses from their last 18 Europa Leagues underlines just how much priority they give this tournament.

 

Jesus' side have not lost in 13 on their travels going into this one, winning 10, and three clean sheets from their last five suggests that they are well placed to hold out the attacking threat of their hosts this evening.

 

This is bound to be an exciting match up between two attacking and prolific sides, but I think that the Portuguese are overpriced at 3.45 so I'm backing the away win.

 

Bet 2: Benfica (AWAY) @ 3.45

 

Bet HERE

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