LILLE battle Fenerbahce in a UEFA Champions League third qualifying round fixture on Tuesday. Neither team has shown much defensive solidity in recent weeks and could be set to serve up goals here.
Lille are making a return to the Champions League having last played in the competition in 2022. Their erratic showings towards the end of last season means they now have to come through the qualifiers to reach the group phase.
The Pre-season has not been that great for Lille, who have picked up just three wins from six matches. Defending has been a major problem for Bruno Genesio’s men, who have kept just one clean sheet in that run, although they did claim a 3-1 win over Celta Vigo in their final warm-up fixture.
Where Lille are joining the Champions League in the third round, Fenerbahce are already well into the competition. They did the double over Lugano in the previous round, claiming a 4-3 victory in Switzerland before winning 2-1 at home.
Those results are an extension of some solid preseason showing for Fenerbahce, who are currently on a four matches winning run. However, Jose Mourinho’s men have looked a bit suspect at the back, conceding four goals across the two meetings with Lugano.
How the bookies view it
Lille have the upper hand among the bookies and are priced at 23/20 by Betfred to claim the win. A victory for Fenerbahce is valued at 9/4 while Betfred is also offering odds of 11/5 for a draw.
Head to head
Both teams met during the group stage of the 2010/11 Europa League with Lille going unbeaten in two matches. They claimed a 2-1 victory at home before holding out for a 1-1 draw in Turkey.
Players to watch: Dzeko already on fire
Edin Dzeko is already showing good form early in the season having scored three goals across two matches for Fenerbahce in the previous round. The Bosnian striker could be joined in attack by Dusan Tadic and Cengiz Under and all three men can ensure the visitors produce over 0.5 goals at 4/9 with Betfred.
Jonathan David’s delayed return from Copa America duties has seen Mohamed Bayo step up for Lille in preseason. With Hakon Haraldsson also featuring and Jonathan David likely providing an attacking threat off the bench, the French side could be backed to produce over 0.5 goals at 2/9 with Betfred.
Probable line-ups
Having only just returned from holiday, Jonathan David may have to settle for a place off the bench for Lille. Mohamed Bayo should lead the line on Tuesday, with Remy Cabella and Bafode Diakite also expected to feature.
Fenerbahce are likely to stick with much of the team that faced Lugano in the previous round with Edin Dzeko expected to lead the line. Fred could feature in midfield while Caglar Soyuncu and Bright Osayi-Samuel should line up at the back.
Lille: Chevalier, Meunier, Diakite, Alexsandro, Gudmundsson, Santos, Gomes, Cabella, Andre, Haraldsson, Bayo
Fenerbahce: Livakovic, Osayi-Samuel, Soyuncu, Djiku, Oosterwolde, Fred, Krunic, Szymanski, Tadic, Under, Dzeko
Anything else catch the eye?
It was a seven goal thriller in Fenerbahce’s previous away fixture and Tuesday’s clash could be set to be another high-scoring encounter. Over 4.5 goals could be considered at 11/2 by Betfred, who is also offering 5/2 for over 3.5 goals while over 2.5 goals is valued at 10/11.
There were more goals after the break in Fenerbahce’s last two matches and a similar pattern is priced at 23/20 by Betfred. With a closely fought encounter expected here, a halftime draw could be in the cards at 23/20 with Betfred.
This UEFA Champions League match between Lille and Fenerbahce will be played on Aug 6, 2024 and kick off at 19:30. Check below for our tipsters best Lille vs Fenerbahce prediction. You may also visit our dedicated betting previews section for the most up to date previews.
