Lille (Fra) vs Fenerbahce (Tur) prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Qualification betting tips on match 2024-08-05 18:30.
[p]After enduring an off-season full of change which has notably seen manager Paulo Fonseca depart for Italian side AC Milan and young star Leny Yoro complete his high profile transfer to Manchester United, Lille kick off their 2024/25 campaign with a mouth-watering Champions League third qualifying round clash against Fenerbahçe. The French side booked their spot at this stage of Europe’s premier tournament by finishing 4th in Ligue 1 last term, their highest final position since winning the French top-flight back in 2020/21.[/p]
[p]New boss Bruno Génésio will hope that his side’s mixed pre-season, which included wins against Gent and Celta Vigo but defeat to Wolfsburg, will have been enough to have them ready for their first taste of UCL action since being knocked out by Chelsea in the Round of 16 back in March 2022. The Mastiffs will have to be at their best to win here though, as despite entering as sizeable favourites with the bookmakers, they’ve taken just one win across their past 12 home matches in this competition (D4, L7).[/p]
[p]Fresh from running out victors in their enthralling second round qualification clash with Lugano which finished 6-4 in their favour, Turkish giants Fenerbahçe make the long trip to northern France in fine spirits after winning both legs against their Swiss opposition. Now the aim will be simple for newly appointed manager José Mourinho, to guide his side through this tie and towards a first UCL group/league stage appearance since the 2008/09 season! [/p]
[p]His team will be full of confidence as they chase that dream, especially as they’ve now won each of their past five competitive matches stretching back to last season. Four of those victories witnessed the Yellow Canaries net 2+ goals and that could be their most likely route to success across this tie, as they look to improve on their fairly torrid previous record against French sides in European competition (W5, D5, L11). [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Last season, Jonathan David netted 26 goals across 47 competitive appearances for Lille, the last three of which all came before the 15th minute. Fenerbahçe’s Edin DĹľeko has already scored four goals across two matches in this competition this season – the last three all coming after half-time.  [/p]
[p]Hot stat: Fenerbahçe have conceded 2.29 goals on average per game across their prior European matches against French opponents. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Nathan Evans[/i][/p]