On Thursday evening, Fenerbahce and Sevilla go head-to-head in the Turkish capital in the second leg of the Europa League last 16. The tie's first leg in Andalusia ended in a 2-0 win for the Spanish side.
Fenerbahce form guideThe 2-0 first-leg defeat ended an eight-game unbeaten run for Fenerbahce in all competitions, which had included seven wins and one draw. The game was also a rare low-scoring outing for Jorge Jesus’ team, as ten of their last 13 matches in all competitions have produced over 2.5 goals.
Losing against Sevilla also ended an 11-game unbeaten run in the Europa League for Fenerbahce. They had also scored at least two goals in their previous eight competitive games.
The Turkish team has also been strong on home soil of late in the Europa League, as they are unbeaten in seven home matches in the competition, having won four of their last five European games on home soil.
Sevilla form guideJorge Sampaoli’s team followed up the first-leg victory with a potentially crucial 2-1 home win against Almeria. The win kept Sevilla two points above the relegation zone in La Liga. Their top-flight survival is the club’s priority this season.
Sevilla are the most successful team in the history of the Europa League, winning the trophy six times. However, their recent form in the competition has been unconvincing, as they have won three and lost three of their previous six games in the competition.
The visitors have been poor travellers of late in the Europa League, winning just one of their previous six matches on their travels in the competition.
Latest team newsFenerbahce will be without Brazilian star Lincoln through injury. Meanwhile, Serdar Dursun, Nazim Sangare, Ezgjan Alioski and Gustavo Henrique are ineligible for the fixture.
Sevilla will be without Marcao and Karim Rekik through injuries, while goalkeeper Bono is also unlikely to feature after sustaining a head injury against Almeria. Pape Gueye is ineligible to feature.
What am I backing?I am backing Fenerbahce to record a victory in this clash, although it remains to be seen if it will be enough to turn the tie around.
