Hearts are paying the price for their success last season, losing all three games with eight goals conceded.
The last thing they need right now is a trip to Benfica who can build on their 5-0 home win last week.
HTH - Long Wait Between Drinks
These clubs have met twice, in the 1960/61 European Cup first round. José Águas and José Augusto scored in both legs as Benfica won 2-1 in Edinburgh and 3-0 in Lisbon.
Benfica Bounce Back
Benfica started the season with a disappointing 2-1 defeat at St. Gallen in the Europa League qualifiers. Rafa Silva equalised before half-time but their defence was not up to the task in Switzerland.
Marco Silva’s side took their frustrations out on Belenenses in a friendly. Anísio Cabral, Franjo Ivanović and Jhon Durán found the net with Gianluca Prestianni scoring twice in a 5-1 victory.
The Eagles maintained that form to beat St. Gallen 5-0 and cruise into the third round. Vangelis Pavlidis scored twice before the visitors were reduced to 10 men, the Greek striker bagging another two goals in an impressive individual performance.
Hearts on the Slide
Hearts went desperately close to winning the Scottish Premiership last season, conceding two late goals at Celtic on the final matchday to see their hopes squashed.
The Edinburgh club were subsequently raided, manager Derek McInnes moving to Rangers alongside Cammy Devlin and Lawrence Shankland who joined on free transfers.
Wouter Vrancken became the new boss and endured a tough start in the Champions League qualifiers. An unlucky 4-0 defeat at Sturm Graz was followed by a deserved 2-0 home defeat after ending with 0.68-2.45 xG.
Hearts were set to win at Aberdeen in their opening Premiership clash on Saturday. Leading 1-0 thanks to Oisin McEntee’s first half strike, they conceded in the 90th minute and again five minutes later after Stuart Findlay had been sent off for conceding a penalty.
Predicted Lineups & Team News
Benfica (4-2-3-1) Anatoliy Trubin; Alexander Bah, Tomás Araújo, Clément Lenglet, Samuel Dahl; Leandro Barreiro, Enzo Barrenechea; Rafa Silva, Georgiy Sudakov, Gianluca Prestianni; Vangelis Pavlidis
Bruma is doubtful with Daniel Banjaqui, Fredrik Aursnes and Franjo Ivanovic injured. Gianluca Prestianni has served his suspension and could replace Jakub Kaminski on the left wing.
Amar Dedic, Richard Rios, Dodi Lukebakio, Andreas Schjelderup and Jhon Duran came off the bench in the second leg against St. Gallen.
António Silva sealed a move to Bournemouth for €25m which will see Tomás Araújo come into central defence next to Clément Lenglet.
Hearts (4-4-2) Beau Reus; Jordi Altena, Stephen Kingsley, Oisin McEntee, Harry Milne; Sabah Kerjota, Laurent Mendy, Blair Spittal, Calvin Miller; Claudio Braga, Amadou Ba-Sy
Centre-back Craig Halkett is out until December due to an achilles injury.