Fenerbahce Istanbul vs Lille Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions League

Prediction published on 13/08/2024, 04:38  by Devesh Jaganath in Champions League Predictions

Arguably the pick of the Champions League third qualifying round second leg matches will see Fenerbahce and Lille facing off in Istanbul on Tuesday. The winner of this tie will move on to face either SK Slavia Praha or Union Saint-Gilloise in the playoff round. Let’s get into the match prediction. 

Fenerbahce have it all to do here having lost the opening leg 2-1 last week at Stade du Hainaut. Irfan Kahveci scored their lone goal in the 79th minute of the match to keep them in the tie. 

Sari Kanaryalar were forced to play much of the match on the counterattack, as they were confined to just 41% possession and managed only five shots on target. 

With the Superlig yet to get underway, Fener have only played in Europe this season, which was against Lugano in the last round and they won their home leg 2-1 following a seven-goal thriller a week earlier. 

The hosts have not lost a home match since last season’s Conference League round of 16 against Union Saint-Gilloise. 

Meanwhile, Lille only entered this competition in this round and marked their entry with a win thanks to an own goal by Jayden Oosterwolde and a last-minute winner from Edon Zhegrova. 

Les Dogues also had a solid pre-season, losing only one of their six friendlies which was against Wolfsburg, while they posted four wins and a draw in the remaining five.  

Lille will now need to defend their slender advantage here in Turkey, though it will not be easy given their opponents' excellent scoring record at home and their own tendency to leak goals on the road.