Sports Mole previews Thursday’s Europa League clash between FC Twente and Fenerbahce, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
Aiming to build on a respectable point during the opening gameweek of the competition, FC Twente will welcome Turkish giants Fenerbahce to De Grolsch Veste in the Europa League on Thursday night.
The Tukkers enjoyed a share of the spoils at the Theatre of Dreams in England last week, whereas the Yellow Canaries secured a narrow success over Belgian opposition.
Match preview
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Returning to the European scene for the first time in a decade, FC Twente were thrown straight onto the main stage last Wednesday night, when the Eredivisie side made the trip to Manchester United’s Old Trafford, managing to return to the Netherlands with a share of the spoils.
A powerful strike from Red Devils midfielder Christian Eriksen fired Erik ten Hag‘s side ahead at the Theatre of Dreams after 35 minutes however the Tukkers were unwilling to lie down and accept defeat, with former Rangers marksman Sam Lammers bagging a second-half equaliser.
Since that memorable evening at Old Trafford during gameweek one of the Europa League, Twente have stretched their winning run in the Eredivisie to three matches on Sunday afternoon, when a second-period penalty from veteran Ricky van Wolfswinkel downed struggling NAC Breda.
Heading into their second League Phase match of the season, Joseph Oosting‘s troops are in a strong position in their respective domestic standings, currently occupying fourth place, sitting seven points behind league leaders PSV Eindhoven, who are yet to drop points this term.
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Despite Jose Mourinho joining Fenerbahce with the intention of leading them through a Champions League campaign, the legendary Portuguese manager has been forced to settle for a journey in UEFA’s second-tier club competition, a mission that commenced with three points last Thursday.
In a game which saw red cards for both the hosts and Union SG, it was the Yellow Canaries of Turkey who came out on top, with Caglar Soyuncu‘s strike and an own goal from former Portsmouth defender Christian Burgess sealing a 2-1 victory over the Belgian Pro League outfit.
Fenerbahce were on a mission for redemption in the Turkish Super Lig on the weekend, winning 2-0 away from home at Antalyaspor courtesy of efforts from Dusan Tadic and a Thalisson own goal, eight days after Mourinho’s troops had tasted defeat domestically for the first time this season at the hands of Galatasaray.
Looking to book a spot in next season’s Champions League via the Super Lig as well as triumph in the Europa League, the Yellow Canaries are second in the top-flight standings ahead of a continental adventure on Thursday, three points behind Okan Buruk‘s division-leading charges.
FC Twente Europa League form:
FC Twente form (all competitions):
Fenerbahce Europa League form:
Fenerbahce form (all competitions):
Team News
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FC Twente remain without the services of midfielder Michal Sadilek, who is still recovering from a leg injury sustained whilst on international duty with the Czech Republic.
The Tukkers are also unable to call upon the talents of Younes Taha, who is expected to be sidelined until at least early February due to a broken leg.
Despite failing to provide a goal contribution in his last two appearances, Sem Steijn will continue in the attacking-midfield role for Twente.
Seeing red in the win over Union SG last week, former Queens Park Rangers wideman Bright Osayi-Samuel will be unable to feature for Fenerbahce in the Netherlands.
Starting the win over Antalyaspor on the weekend, goalscorer Tadic and ex-Manchester City marksman Edin Dzeko will be hopeful of earning spots in the Europa League XI for the Yellow Canaries.
FC Twente possible starting lineup:
Unnerstall; Van Rooij, Hilgers, Bruns, Salah-Eddine; Regeer, Vlap, Steijn; Van Wolfswinkel, Van Bergen, Lammers
Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Muldur, Djiku, Soyuncu, Oosterwolde; Amrabat, Yusek, Tadic, Szymanski, Saint-Maximin; Dzeko
We say: FC Twente 1-2 Fenerbahce
Drawing at Manchester United last week, Twente will be confident heading into another high-profile Europa League clash on Thursday night.
Fenerbahce have responded well since a disappointing defeat to Galatasaray and should be good enough to narrowly earn three points in the Netherlands.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.