Pitted against Olympique Lyonnais, Schalke and Hapoel Tel-Aviv in Group B, Portuguese champions Benfica should be looking for a top two finish and qualify for the second round of the Champions League.
The Eagles have a very strong squad with Luisao, Javi Garcia, Pablo Aimar, Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardozo all having recovered their form and fitness last season. In the summer Benfica did lose winger Angel Di Maria to Real Madrid and midfielder Ramires to Chelsea, but they still retain a squad that plays entertaining and attacking football and can compete at the highest level.
Last season Benfica featured in the Europa League and reached the quarter-finals where they were eliminated by Liverpool. This time around the Portuguese champions have made a disappointing start to their league campaign as they are currently in 13th place with three defeats in the first four games but will look to bounce back against Hapoel on Tuesday.
Special Occasion
Israeli side Hapeol Tel-Aviv are one of just three teams from their country to ever compete in Europe's most coveted club competition. They qualifed for the group stage after defeating FC Salzburg 4-3 on aggregate in the play-off round.
Last season the Israeli champions reached the Round of 32 in the Europa League and gave a good account of themselves. This time in the Champions League the 13-time Israeli champions will look to get past the group stage and prove that they are not simply there to make up the numbers.
However, manager Eli Guttman has some pressing problems on his hands as his side are conceding more goals than they should this season. Against an attacking Benfica team that can score goals anytime Guttman has to see that his defenders maintain focus and discipline at the back all the time.
"I think it's about a 50-50 game," said Hapoel's Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, according to AP. "I mean, they are better than us, more organized, a side with more established players. But I think we are going there to represent Israel, we are going there to give a fight, to make this country known in European football."
TEAM NEWS
Benfica
Argentine winger Eduardo Salvio reportedly missed training on Monday while Brazilian forward Alan Kardec is also struggling with injury.
Probable Lineup (4-1-3-2): Roberto Gago, Maxi Pereira, Luisao, David Luiz, Coentrao; Javi Garcia; Martins, Aimar, Gaitan; Saviola, Cardozo
Hapoel Tel-Aviv
Striker Itai Shechter, who scored 22 league goals last season, is set to return to the starting line-up after injuring a hamstring last month. Dani Bondar could start at the back instead of Omri Kende.
Probable Lineup (4-5-1): Enyeama, Kende, D. Silva, Fransman, B. Dayan; Rocchi, Yadin; Shivhon, Zahavi, Vermouth; Shechter
Prediction
Benfica should emerge victorious in this game with ease. Their strikers Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardozo will be looking to bag goals for themselves.
Benfica 3-0 Hapoel 
