Preview: Fenerbahce vs. Union SG – forecast, team news, lineups

I would like to react after the disappointing home defeat in the last game Fenerbahçe will begin yours Europa League Campaign with the visit of Union SG on Thursday evening.

The Yellow Canaries lost a league clash against Galatasaray at the weekend, while Les Unionistes played to a goalless draw against Standard Liège in Belgium.

Game preview

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He took over as manager of the club in June after leaving Roma in January. Jose Mourinho wanted to take Fenerbahce into the Champions League this season, but a defeat in two games against Lille in the qualifying rounds meant the hosts had to settle for a place in the Europa League on Thursday.

Aside from that hiccup on the continental stage in August, the Yellow Canaries have made a stable start to the 2024-25 season and sit second in the Turkish Super Lig standings, five points behind leaders Galatasaray, who have not dropped any points since then has six games.

It was Okan Buruk‘s troops who handed Fenerbahce their first home defeat of the season on Saturday evening as the former Arsenal player scored goals Lucas TorreiraBelgian legend Dries Mertens and former Norwich City playmaker Gabriel Sara fired the guests to a 3-1 win.

Before the weekend’s loss to the champions, the Yellow Canaries were on a three-game winning streak in the Super Lig, scoring 10 goals in the three games against Rizespor, Alanyaspor and Kasimpasa, all without a goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic is broken through at the other end.

Fenerbahce was one of the big fish in the Europa Conference League last season. The Turkish giants beat Union SG in the round of 16 to set up a quarter-final clash with Olympiacos Piraeus, who progressed to the quarter-finals thanks to a penalty shootout. Shooting success.

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Union SG took second place in the Belgian Pro League 2023/24 behind champions Club Brugge and thus secured a place in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League. But just like hosts Fenerbahce on Thursday, the visitors were eliminated from the top tier of UEFA club football after a 4-1 aggregate defeat by Slavia Prague.

Since the crucial Europa League defeat to the Czech giants on August 13, Les Unionistes have lost just one of their five Pro League games, although they are currently winless in four competitions, with three of those games ending in a goalless draw against St. Truids ended. Anderlecht and most recently Standard Liège.

Given her shyness in front of the net, it’s no surprise to see this two-goal striker and summer signing Mohammed Fuseini The 22-year-old leads the early race for the Golden Boot for Union SG. He has Europa League experience thanks to his time with Austrian club Sturm Graz, who now compete in the new-look Champions League.

After eight games of the Pro League season, Les Unionistes sit 12th in the 16-team division, just a single point ahead of St. Truiden, which occupies the highest spot in the relegation playoffs, a fate currently unthinkable Sebastien Pocognoli‘s men.

Although the last league title was won in 1935, Union SG have built a winning culture in cup competitions ahead of this year’s Europa League season, with the visitors winning both the Belgian Cup and the Belgian Super Cup in 2024 on Thursday.

Fenerbahce form (all competitions):

Union SG form (all competitions):

Team news

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Fenerbahce remain without the services of the former Queens Park Rangers attacker Bright Osayi Samuelwith the 26-year-old expected to return from a foot injury next month.

Against Galatasaray he scored the consolation goal from twelve meters in the second half. Edin Dzeko should retain his place at the heart of the Yellow Canaries’ attack.

The Turkish hosts have plenty of European know-how in their ranks, among other things Sofian Amrabat And Youssef En-Nesyri is pushing for places in the eleven after starting on the bench on Saturday.

Union SG’s goalscorer Fuseini was given his marching orders during the defeat against Slavia Prague in August and is suspended for that game.

Les Unionistes also cannot rely on the talents of Henok Teklabwho is aiming to return to football in the new year after breaking his leg.

Possible Fenerbahce starting lineup:
Livakovic; Muldur, Djiku, Soyuncu, Oosterwolde; Fred, Amrabat; Tadic, Szymanski, Saint Maximin; Dzeko

Union SG possible starting lineup:
Morris; Burgess, Machida, Leysen; Castro-Montes, Sadiki, Vanhoutte, Rasmussen, Terho; Ivanovic, Akinpelu

We say: Fenerbahce 2-0 Union SG

Aside from Saturday’s clash against Galatasaray, Fenerbahce have been impressive so far in the 2024/25 season and should be confident of getting past Union SG on home soil.

Les Unionistes are struggling domestically and cannot rely on the talents of Fuseini in attack on Thursday, so we expect a difficult evening for the Belgians in Istanbul.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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