Fenerbahce Istanbul vs NK Maribor Prediction & Betting Tips - Conference League

Prediction published on 08/08/2023, 17:10  by Devesh Jaganath | Modified on 08/08/2023 at 17:10 in Conference League Predictions

Fenerbahce will continue their search for Conference League football when they take on Maribor in the third qualifying round. The winner of this two-legged encounter will face either FC Twente or Riga FC in the next round. The hosts cruised past Zimbru in the last round, slotting away five goals in the first leg and four in the second without response. Fenerbahce topped their group in the Europa League last season but were beaten by Sevilla in the round of 16. Sevilla went on to win the Europa League last term. Fenerbahce finished second in the Super lig last season for the second time in succession and were eight points behind Galatasaray. They recorded 25 wins, five draws, and six losses in their 36 matches and were the highest-scoring team in the league with 87. The hosts are on a six-match home winning streak in competitive matches and are unbeaten in their last nine. They are the massive favourites to win this first leg. 

Meanwhile, Maribor have been involved in both preceding qualifying round in this competition and have fought their way to this stage. In the first round, they went into the second leg level with Birkirkara and looked destined to exit the competition as they were 1-0 down after 80 minutes. However, two goals in the final ten minutes saw them clinch the tie 3-2. The second round against Differdange was even closer, ending 1-1 in the first leg and 3-3 in the second leg. Maribor were 3-1 down in the second leg at the hour mark but got the equaliser in the last ten minutes again and won the match in the final minute of extra time. They finished last season in third place in 1. SNL and have got this season off to a perfect start with two consecutive wins, keeping clean sheets in both matches. Still, their luck in the competition may be running thin against a European competition regular.