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Kick-off: Thursday, 10 March @18:00 GMT
Venue: Sukru Saracoglu Stadyumu (Istanbul)
Live Stream: fuboTV (US), bet365 (non-US)
Head to head record
No past meetings
Fenerbahce vs Sporting Braga prediction
Sporting Lisbon failed to make it to the Europa League last 16, but fellow Portuguese side Sporting Braga set up a meeting with Fenerbahce by beating Sion in the two-legged tie. The Turks are regarded as favourites to emerge triumphant in Thursday’s game in Istanbul, but the visitors should not be underestimated.
Fine form
Fenerbahce endured a surprisingly slow star to their Europa League campaign. The Turkish outfit suffered a 3-1 loss to Molde in their first group game, but they quickly recovered from the defeat, with the team sharing the spoils with Celtic in Glasgow. Vitor Pereira’s team continued with fine performances in group A and they totally deserved to make it to the knockout stages. Fener faced no difficulties in the two-legged tie against Lokomotiv Moscow and it has to be noted that they have been handed an easy draw. Fenerbahce take on Braga in the Europa League last 16 and they will be looking to get their job done in the first leg in Istanbul. Vitor Pereira’s team are tough to beat in Turkey, but Robin van Persie and his teammates will have to prove their worth on the field. The Dutch striker failed to score in a 3-0 win over Akhisar, but he is widely expected to lead the line for the visitors against Braga.
Former Juventus ace Diego is banned, while Serbian winger Lazar Markovic is sidelined with injury. Gokhan Gonul is a major doubt and he will be assessed on the match day. Coach Vitor Pereira has no other selection worries ahead of the Europa League game.
Great win over Porto
Sporting Braga proved their worth in the two-legged tie against Sion, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry in the clash against Fenerbahce. Os Minhotos have been in a fine form of late and they will be looking to build on a 3-1 victory over Portuguese giants Porto when they square off against Fener in Istanbul. Braga have suffered no more than one loss in the process so far, with the team losing to Olympique Marseille at Stade Velodrome and it has to be noted that the team generally produce much better displays at home ground. The Portuguese outfit face a difficult task in Thursday’s clash against Fenerbahce and no doubt the visitors will be more than happy with the share of spoils. Egypt international Ahmed Hassan Mahgoub scored in the 3-1 win over Porto at the weekend and he is likely to prove a handful for the opposition back line.
Cristian is a major doubt and he will face a late fitness test. Coach Paulo Fonseca is unlikely to make too many changes to the team that faced Sion. Alan scored against Porto and he is pushing for a start.
Quick Facts
- Fenerbahce recorded a win in each of their last seven home games in Super Lig
- Fener suffered only one loss in previous nine home fixtures in the Europa League
- Under 2.5 goals were scored in Fener’s last six games in the competition
- Braga are on a 15-game unbeaten run at the moment
- Os Minhotos suffered only one loss in last ten away games in EL
Fenerbahce vs Sporting Braga betting tip
Both Fenerbahce and Sporting Braga seem to be at the top of their game at the moment and there is every chance we will see a close encounter in Istanbul. Fener have been impressive at the back in the 2015/2016 Europa League campaign and considering that Braga are on a 15-game unbeaten run at the moment, I would not be surprised if the two teams share the spoils at Sukru Saracoglu Stadyumu. Taking everything into account, we should see a low-scoring affair in the first leg.
Tip: Under 2.5 goals
Odds: 1.75 (3/4) @Unibet
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