Benfica face Fenerbahce test in Champions League third qualifying round

Benfica will face 19-time Turkish champions Fenerbahce in the marquee tie of the Champions League third round qualifying round.

Runners-up in the Primeira Liga last season, Benfica are looking to reach the group stage for the ninth consecutive season, while Fenerbahce will hope to make their first appearance in 10 years. 

It will be the first time the two teams have met since Benfica defeated Fenerbahce over two legs to reach the Europa League final in 2013.

Ajax, who finished second behind PSV in the Eredivisie in 2017-18, face a tricky tie with Standard Liege, while Red Bull Salzburg, semi-finalists in last season’s Europa League, face either Macedonia’s Shkendija or Moldovan champions Sheriff.

Scottish champions Celtic will meet AEK Athens if they get through their second-round tie with Norway’s Rosenborg.

All first legs will be played on August 7/8, with return fixtures contested on August 14.

Full Draw

Benfica v Fenerbahce
Standard Liege v Ajax or Sturm Graz
Slavia Prague v Dynamo Kiev
PAOK or Basel v Spartak Moscow
Celtic or Rosenborg v AEK Athens
Red Bull Salzburg v Shkendija or Sheriff
Red Star Belgrade or Suduva v Legia Warsaw or Spartak Trnava
Kukesi or Qarabag v BATE Borisov or HJK Helsinki 
Astana or Midtjylland v Dinamo Zagreb or Hapoel Beer-Sheva
Cluj or Malmo v Ludogorets Razgrad or Vidi

#UCL 3rd qualifying round draw

Benfica v Fenerbahçe pic.twitter.com/qheMyIQYWK

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) July 23, 2018