Fenerbahce vs Liverpool Prediction: Betting Tips & Odds

Fenerbahce welcome Liverpool to Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in the Champions League on Thursday morning NZT, with kickoff set for 6:45am.

It’s the first time these two clubs have met, and a familiar face will be in the home dugout. Dirk Kuyt was named Fenerbahce’s interim head coach last week after Ismail Kartal resigned.

Liverpool have won all three of their league phase games so far. Fenerbahce have two points from theirs.

My main bet in this Fenerbahce vs Liverpool preview is a two-leg combo, and it’s priced at more than $2.50. It’s my favourite of this week’s Champions League football betting tips.

Fenerbahce

Fenerbahce have fielded the oldest starting lineups in this season’s Champions League, which is likely to be quite the issue against this Liverpool side.

Opta has their average starting age at 29 years and 165 days. Liverpool won the ball back high up the pitch 33 times across the first three rounds, and only Arsenal managed more.

It went badly wrong for them at Villa Park. Fenerbahce drew at home to Roma and Slavia Prague either side of a 6-0 loss to Aston Villa, and they’re now 10 games without a win in the European Cup and Champions League.

They’re fifth in the Super Lig after back-to-back 2-1 defeats, first away to Galatasaray and then at home to Goztepe on 31 October in Kuyt’s first game in charge.

I wouldn’t write them off at home. Kadikoy on a European night is loud, and I don’t think this crowd will let them roll over.

Team News: Asensio and Oosterwolde are out, as is Oppong. Ake is a doubt.

Predicted Lineup: Ederson; Semedo, Skriniar, Brown, Mercan; Kante, Guendouzi; Aydin, Kahveci, Akturkoglu; Lukaku.

Liverpool

Liverpool took 17 shots against Arsenal on 1 November and didn’t get a single one on target.

That had never happened to them in a Premier League game at Anfield since Opta’s data began in 2003-04. They lost 1-0, and they’ve only scored four league goals at home all season.

Europe has been different. Liverpool have scored 12 goals in three Champions League games, their best return at this stage of a European Cup or Champions League campaign since 1980-81. Bradley Barcola and Alexis Mac Allister have three each.

I’m keen to see Alexander Isak open his account in the competition. He’s got six goals in eight games this season, but none of them have come in Europe yet.

There’s a chance he doesn’t start. Sports Mole thinks Lewis Koumas could come in up front, and with Crystal Palace away on Sunday, I can see some rotation.

Dominik Szoboszlai came off the bench against Arsenal after his injury lay-off. I’d like him back in the XI, but I’m not sure he’s ready for 90 minutes.

Team News: Gravenberch, Frimpong, Bradley and Ekitike are out, as is Leoni. Chiesa and Endo aren’t registered for the league phase.

Predicted Lineup: Alisson; Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Nyoni, Mac Allister; Barcola, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.

• This is the first ever meeting between Fenerbahce and Liverpool.
• Liverpool have never won away to a Turkish side in the European Cup or Champions League.
• Liverpool have lost their last four matches in Turkey.
• Fenerbahce have drawn their last three home games in Europe.
• Kuyt made 37 Champions League appearances for Liverpool.

Fenerbahce are going to score in this game.

Liverpool haven’t managed a clean sheet in the Champions League this season, and they conceded three at home to Villarreal on 20 October. Kerem Akturkoglu has the pace to hurt them if they lose the ball high up the pitch.

I still have Liverpool winning, and I can’t see the Fenerbahce back line coping with Barcola running at it.

Team selection is a concern of mine though. Iraola has Palace on Sunday, and if Isak and Florian Wirtz both start on the bench, I’ll be a lot less confident about Liverpool scoring more than once.

I’m going with 3-1 to Liverpool. That’s around $11, and it’s a fun way to use any betting bonuses you’ve got going this week.

Over 3.5 goals at $2.20 came close to being my main bet. Four of the two sides’ six league phase games have gone over that line, but I’d rather not need four goals.

Liverpool to Win and Both Teams to Score @ $2.70

Both teams have scored in all three of Liverpool’s Champions League wins this season. They beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 at Anfield, won 6-3 at LASK and then came back to beat Villarreal 4-3.

Fenerbahce scored in both of their home league phase games against Roma and Slavia Prague. They found the net in each of those two Super Lig defeats as well.

I don’t trust them to do much more than nick a goal, and that suits this bet fine.

At $2.70, I’m happy to back it on any of the New Zealand betting sites I use.