Betfair Live Video: The Game of the Century in Portugal

11May 2013

Betfair

Betfair Live Video delivers more incredible action this Saturday as we check in on the race for the Champions League in Turkey followed by a title decider from Portugal...

Besiktas vs Genclerbirligi

Saturday 18:00

First up on Saturday night is a trip to the banks of the Bosphorous to catch up with Besiktas as they host Genclerbirligi.

Despite their best efforts neither Besiktas nor Fenerbahce could keep up with Galatasaray this year and last weekend Gala reclaimed their crown. The race now is for the champions league qualification spot.

Fenerbahce are in the driving seat, they currently hold a three point advantage over Besiktas with only two games to go but that could well change this weekend. Besiktas have a relatively straightforward home game whilst Fenerbahce must face champions and arch rivals Gala on Sunday. It's imperative then that Besiktas win on Saturday to put the pressure on.

Besiktas have been the most entertaining team to watch in Turkey this season; they're dangerous up front but wobbly at the back and their games guarantee goals. It's worth having a look at the overs in this one.

The Besiktas squad contains less famous names than their city rivals but coach Samet Aybaba has rotated his players to good effect. Manuel Fernandes and Olcay Sahan have been their most consistent contributors, they dominate the midfield in most home games at the Inonu Stadium. Up front the goal scoring burden has been shared, at the start of the campaign it was Holosko and Almeida but due to injury and loss of form the likely strike pairing on Saturday will be on loan Mamadou Niang and ex- Genclerbirligi player Mustafa Pektemek.

Genclerbirligi finished ninth last year and it looks like they'll have to settle for a similar position this time. Hard to beat but with a modest scoring record they have become the draw specialists in Turkey, fourteen times already this season they've shared the points with the opposition.

One man to look out for will be Belgian striker Bjorn Vleminckx, since his loan arrival in January he has scored nine in fourteen and given Genclerbirligi much more of a threat up front.

Besiktas will be determined to get the win, they will also be aware that their goal difference needs improving if they are to have a chance of leapfrogging Fener. Expect the Black Eagles to win in an entertaining game.

Recommended Bets:

Back Besiktas to win @ 1.52

Back Over 3.5 goals @ 2.54

Porto vs Benfica

Saturday 20:30

Saturday night, forget it, stay in, this one is simply unmissable.

Porto host Benfica in 'O Classico', a championship decider and one of the biggest games in Europe this season, in Portugal they are calling this one 'the game of the century'.

All year these two giants have been inseparable and unbeatable. In March Porto stumbled and drew a couple of games, that gave Benfica the advantage and with a four point lead Benfica were cruising but last week catastrophe hit, they drew with Estoril, an appalling result which meant Porto cut the lead to two.

It's now simple, Porto need to win in the Dragao, if they fail they most likely hand the title to their arch rivals.

Porto boast the most impressive home record in the league, winning all but one so far and they have been installed as firm favourites for this titanic clash at 2.08. Colombian superstars Jackson Martinez and Jaime Rodriguez have impressed all season, as have Moutinho and Gonzalez in midfield and Porto also have the best defence in the league conceding under a goal every other game.

Benfica have the best away record in the league and are the top scorers in the Primeira Liga, they won their last four on the road only conceding a solitary goal. Up front Cardozo and Lima do the business whilst Salvio and Gaitan run thing just behind them.

After conceding the title to Porto the last two years it looked like the 'Super Eagles' were going to wrench it back this time. But last Monday's disappointing result has changed opinion, there now seems to be a consensus that Benfica have lost the impetuous and maybe a bit of confidence. They have also had to negotiate a draining Europa League campaign; they face Chelsea in the final next Wednesday. Can Porto capitalise on Benfica's nerves and tiredness?

Benfica have a couple of injury worries but all the main protagonists from both teams will be on show. Despite Benfica knowing a draw will be enough they can't hope to contain the Porto attackers so don't expect them to sit back for long. The atmosphere in the Dragao will be incredible; it should be a hell of a spectacle.

Recommended Bets:

Back HT/FT Draw/Porto @ 5.7

Back Porto to win 2-1 @ 9

Back Porto to win @ 2.08