Galatasaray eyes victory in journey to Lisbon's Benfica

Galatasaray is hoping to repeat its success in Portugal seven years ago by beating Benfica in a Champions League Group C match to keep its chances of advancing to the knock-out stage, while group leader Atletico Madrid will look to build on its 4-0 demolition of Astana last time outA first European win in nearly two years has revived Galatasaray's Champions League Group C challenge and ensures Benfica will be wary of a second reverse when the sides meet again on Nov. 3.

Spor Toto Super League champion Galatasaray's  2-1 victory at home two weeks ago boosted the club's challenge for a top-two finish as Benfica dropped its first points in Istanbul. 

That defeat was followed by a 3-0 reverse against Sporting which snapped Benfica's 55-match unbeaten league run at home and the club will be without suspended Greece midfielder Andreas Samaris against Galatasaray.

However, Galatasaray's recent away form in the Champions League is particularly poor - the Istanbul club is without a win in nine attempts.

But when the teams met in the 2008-2009 UEFA Cup group stage in Lisbon, Emre A??k and Ümit Karan struck in Galatasaray's 2-0 away victory. 

That defeat is Benfica's only blemish in an otherwise faultless home record against Turkish sides. The Portuguese won all four other such fixtures, scoring 16 goals and conceding only once. 

The Turkish double winner, which is in its 14th Champions League group stage campaign and its fourth in succession, started this season with a 2-0 home defeat by Atletico Madrid before drawing 2-2 at Astana.

Galatasaray has not won an away Champions League match since a 3-2 victory at Schalke 04 in the 2012-2013 round of 16 second leg  the club's third away win in a row and one...