Fenerbahce – AEK Larnaca : Preview & Prediction
Backed once again by a 50,000-strong Şükrü Saracoğlu crowd, Fenerbahçe are aiming to reach the halfway stage of the UEFA Europa League (UEL) group stage in the top two of Group B. The Turkish giants have finished in that position in all but the most recent of their six appearances prior to this edition, and also have a run of five consecutive home wins to fuel further confidence.
Fenerbahçe coach Jorge Jesus’ experience of delivering continental duties should also be an advantage, and the coach has a good historical record in the UEL (G35, E14, P13 – excluding qualifying), mainly from his first spell at Benfica. Teams under Jesus averaged almost two goals per game in those 62 UEL games (1.94), which can only increase the fear at AEK Larnaca.
Despite their status as broad underdogs, Larnaca beat Anorthosis 4-0 in domestic action last weekend, moving away from the lower echelons of the Cypriot First Division and continuing their quest for consistency in the domestic competition (G2, E1, P2). That extended Larnaca’s drawless run to six games (G3, P3), including a surprise 1-0 away win over Dinamo Kiev in the UEL in their latest venture on rival soil.
Travelling to a venue with six times the capacity of their own, this is Larnaca’s first game in Turkey. It seems only a miracle can help them match an all-time negative UEL group stage record in away matches (G2, E2, P3), although they may not fall from grace if they do lose, as none of their previous seven away games recorded a margin of two goals or more.
Players to watch: As well as starting a comeback from 2-0 down against Rennes (E 2-2) on matchday two, İrfan Kahveci was the last of five different goalscorers in Fenerbahçe’s last home game (5-0 against Alanyaspor). Meanwhile, midfielder Ádám Gyurcsó was the first to score last weekend for Larnaca, meaning that three of his last four goals were decisive goals that opened the scoring.
Key stat: Seven of the last eight games under Jorge Jesus in the UEL have seen both teams score (excluding qualifying).
Fenerbahce – AEK Larnaca : Betting Tips
Fenerbahce – Win Odds: 1.35
