Fenerbahce vs AEK Larnaca prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2022-10-05 19:00.
Backed by a 50,000-strong ĆĂŒkrĂŒ SaracoÄlu Stadium once again, Fenerbahçe are aiming to reach the halfway point of this UEFA Europa League (UEL) group stage in the top two of Group B. The Turkish giants have finished there in all but their most recent of six appearances prior to this edition, and also boast a preceding run of five straight home wins to further fuel belief.
Fenerbahçe manager Jorge Jesusâ experience of negotiating continental tasks should also be an asset, and the well-travelled boss has a good historic return in the UEL proper (W35, D14, L13), primarily from his trophy-laden first spell at Benfica. Sides under Jesusâ command averaged nearly two goals per game across those 62 UEL matches (1.94), which can only increase the fear factor for visitors AEK Larnaca.
For what itâs worth given their distant underdog status, Larnaca beat Anorthosis 4-0 in domestic action last weekend, moving away from the lower echelons of the Cypriot First Division as they seek domestic consistency (W2, D1, L2). That extended Larnacaâs drawless run to six games (W3, L3), amongst which is the surprise UEL âawayâ victory over Dynamo Kyiv (1-0) on their latest venture abroad.
Travelling to a ground over six times the capacity of their own, this is Larnacaâs maiden trip to Turkey. It seems only a miracle can help them equalise a negative all-time UEL group stage record abroad (W2, D2, L3), although they might not be disgraced if beaten, with none of their previous seven away games producing a margin of two or more goals.
Players to watch: As well as sparking a matchday two fightback from 2-0 down at Rennes (D 2-2), Ä°rfan Kahveci was the last of five different scorers in Fenerbahçeâs most recent home game (5-0 vs Alanyaspor). Meanwhile, fellow midfielder ĂdĂĄm GyurcsĂł drew first blood in Larnacaâs weekend win, making three of his last four goals decisive openers.
Hot stat: Seven of Jorge Jesusâ last eight matches managed in the UEL proper have seen both teams score.