Getting their Champions League qualifying adventure underway on Tuesday night, Fenerbahce will welcome Gornik Zabrze to Istanbul for their first-leg showdown.
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Verdict: Fenerbahce to score in both halves
Best Odds: 41/50
Bookmaker: 1xBet
Fenerbahce
Starting with the hosts, left hugely frustrated once again last season as they were eventually forced to settle for another silver medal finish among Turkey’s elite, Fenerbahce have a tremendous amount of expectations on their shoulders this time around. However, despite their domestic disappointment, Ismail Kartal’s men haven’t shown any signs of a hangover during their summer preparations. Signing off their pre-season plans with a 2-1 victory against Austrian outfit LASK, the Yellow Canaries have won all of their three friendly showdowns this summer by an aggregate score of 11-1. Rightfully installed as a landslide contender when they open their Champions League qualifying charge on Tuesday night, Fenerbahce have also gained a real reputation for their clinical performances in the final third.
Fenerbahce Team News
Still recovering from a groin injury that he sustained back in May, Fenerbahce will once again be without the services of Mali international Dorgeles Nene on Tuesday night. However, aside from the former Salzburg midfielder, the Yellow Canaries have reported a clean bill of health.
Featuring for Turkey at this summer’s World Cup and also notching a friendly strike against LASK last week, ex-Benfica marksman Kerem Akturkoglu should spearhead Fenerbahce’s charge. Former Manchester United star Fred will start in the middle of the park.
Gornik Zabrze
As for the visitors, springing a real upset last season as they secured their own domestic silver medal finish and clinching a highest finish since back in 2020, Gornik Zabrze will certainly be relishing an iconic trip to Istanbul on Tuesday night. However, despite cementing their spot as Poland’s ultimate surprise package last season, Michal Gasparik’s camp will be more than aware that they face a monumental first-leg challenge on foreign soil. Failing to pick up some crucial momentum last week as they slumped to a 3-1 loss against Lech in the Polish Super Cup, Tuesday’s guests are rightfully installed as a landslide contender in the Turkish capital. Despite their eye-catching domestic success over the past 12 months, the former Spartak Trnava boss couldn’t have asked for a tougher examination in midweek.
Gornik Zabrze Team News
Limping off late in the first-half against Lech last week with a suspected muscle injury, Gornik Zabzre are sweating over the fitness of former Jagiellonia midfielder Jaroslaw Kubicki on Tuesday night.
Making a permanent switch from Sparta Prague earlier in the year, 30-year-old Lukas Sadilek will start in the middle of the park. Bagging what turned out to be a consolation Super Cup strike last week, Ukrainian youngster Maksym Khlan could play a leading role in the final third.
Fenerbahce vs Gornik Zabrze Key Factors to Consider
- Tuesday’s showdown in Istanbul will be the first meeting between Fenerbahce and Gornik Zabzre.
- Fenerbahce have won all of their three friendly appearances this summer by an aggregate score of 11-1.
- Continuing on from their summer preparations, the Yellow Canaries have notched 20 goals in their previous six matchups across all fronts.
- Fenerbahce have not suffered a single defeat in front of their own supporters since back on February 19th.
- Each of Fenerbahce’s final six domestic appearances last season finish with over 2.5 goals.
Conclusion
Getting their Champions League qualifying adventure underway on Tuesday night, Fenerbahce will certainly be smelling a golden opportunity to make an immediate statement here. Enjoying a dominant summer run and winning all of their three friendly showdowns by an aggregate score of 11-1, the Turkish heavyweights have also gained a real reputation for their clinical performances in the final third. Likewise, not suffering a single defeat in front of their own supporters since back in February, it is no surprise that the Yellow Canaries are installed as such a landslide contender in Istanbul.
Verdict: Fenerbahce to score in both halves
Best Odds: 41/50
Bookmaker: 1xBet
