Fenerbahce vs NK Maribor
UEFA Europa League Conference, KO: 19:00 Aug 10, 2023, Sukru Saracoglu Stadium
A place in the playoffs is the prize as Fenerbahce host NK Maribor in the first leg of their Europa Conference League third round qualifier. Maribor have shown some good form lately but the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium is always a difficult place to play, which means the host are fancied to have the upper hand.
Fenerbahce were in imperious form in the previous round as they eased to a 9-0 aggregate victory over Moldovan side Zimbru. They picked up a 5-0 home victory in the first meeting before running out 4-0 winners in the return fixture.
Both results are an extension of Fenerbahce’s recent good form as they have now won their last three matches across all competitions. That run is driven by a solid defence that has kept clean sheets in all three fixtures.
The Sukru Saracoglu Stadium has a reputation as one of the most difficult grounds in Europe and Fenerbahce are unbeaten in their last eight home matches, claiming seven wins in that run. Once again, the defence has caught the eye as Ismail Kartal’s men have kept clean sheets in the last four fixtures in that run.
Maribor have come through every round of the Europa Conference League to book their place in Thursday’s clash. However, they have only claimed one regulation time win in that run and needed extra-time before seeing off Differdange 5-4 on aggregate last time out.
The Slovenian side have generally been in good form lately and travel to Turkey unbeaten in their last 12 matches across all competitions. However, there have been a few draws in that run having claimed just five regulation time wins.
Maribor will also head into Thursday’s clash with some confidence given their record on their recent travels. Damir Krznar’s men are unbeaten in their last six away matches across all competitions, although their last fixture on the road was a 1-1 draw at Differdange.
How the bookies view it
Fenerbahce are considered overwhelming favourites among the bookies with a home win priced at 1/5 by Unibet. A victory for Maribor is valued at 18/1 by Coral while bet365 is offering odds of 6/1 for a draw.
Head to head
This will be the first ever meeting between Fenerbahce and Maribor.
Players to watch
Fenerbahce have plenty of quality in attack with the likes of Edin Dzeko and Michy Batshuayi combining to overwhelm Zimbru in the previous round. Both Ben are expected to feature on Thursday and can help the Turkish giants produce over 1.5 goals at 1/5 with Paddy Power.
Things are just as impressive at the other end of the pitch as Fenerbahce have kept clean sheets in their last three matches. Luan Perez and Serdar Aziz often feature at the back and can lead the hosts to a clean sheet at 8/14 with bet365.
Anything else catch the eye?
Fenerbahce have won to nil in their last three matches and could be set for a repeat on Thursday at 10/13 with 10bet. Given the results in their last two Conference League matches, a -2 handicap can also be considered at 31/20 with Unibet.
The Turkish side produced more goals in their last two Conference League matches and Thursday’s clash can be tipped to follow a similar pattern at 11/10 with William Hill.
This UEFA Europa League Conference match between Fenerbahce and NK Maribor will be played on Aug 10, 2023 and kick off at 19:00. Check below for our tipsters best Fenerbahce vs NK Maribor prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
Hello. I think youre bets are spot on. But here is another aspect we must take into consideration. This is first game that Maribor is underdog. Till now they have to go forward and so open a lot of space in back….both goal in last games were concided after contra break…..one penalty(close call by referee) and another after foul of atacing player.
I think Fene will win with 2 goals margin but clean sheet…..Maribor can have deadly counter attack too and this is first game to use it.
All good.