Benfica loom large as Hearts try to avoid another morale-sapping result

Vangelis Pavlidis scored 30 goals in all competitions last season [Getty Images] After a 6-0 aggregate loss against Sturm Graz in Champions League qualifying and a late 2-1 reverse against Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership, things don't exactly get easier for Wouter Vrancken's Hearts. They go to Benfica on Thursday for the first leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie, with the odds stacked against them as they try to avoid another morale-sapping result. The Portuguese giants are ranked 18th in Uefa's club coefficient rankings, 120 places ahead of Hearts. They were unbeaten in the Primeira Liga last season, but finished third after 11 draws left them behind both Porto and Sporting. They also reached the knockout phase of the Champions League under Jose Mourinho after victories against Ajax, Napoli and Real Madrid, before Real got their revenge in the play-off round with a 3-1 aggregate victory. Mourinho has since returned to Los Blancos and has been replaced in the Benfica dugout by former Everton and Fulham boss Marco Silva. Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis is a prolific goal scorer, netting 30 times in all competitions last season, while Norway's Andreas Schjelderup and Rafa Silva are dangerous wingers. Pavlidis also comes into this game in good form having scored four as Benfica beat St Gallen 5-0 in the second leg of their previous Europa League qualifying tie to seal a 6-2 aggregate win. A daunting task then as Vrancken and his players try to avoid a fourth defeat on the spin.