Europa League is gearing up towards the second half of the group phase as Fenerbahce welcome Manchester United to Turkey in what could be the game that has the biggest influence in Group A standings.
Fenerbahce have picked up some much-needed form since the 4-1 defeat at Old Trafford following wins against Konyaspor and Karabukspor with the latter especially morale-boosting due to the convincing nature of the result and more so, the performance. Those two wins on the bounce have seen the Turkish giants climb the league table, now up to fifth and Dick Advocaat will be looking at the game against Mourinho’s lacklustre United as his best chance to, in some ways, avenge the previous result and at the same time take a big step towards qualification by upsetting the visitors.
Manchester United, since the 4-1 win against Fenerbahce, have suffered poor results including the 4-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge and the 0-0 stalemate against Burnley despite dominating the whole game that has seen them slip down to 8th in the Premier League. Mourinho, on the other hand, has faced multiple charges for misconduct, imposed the FA and is on the verge of getting a touchline ban for his next domestic outing against Swansea. Things are not going well down at Old Trafford and the Europa League is now a welcome distraction for United to play some attacking football and score goals to get themselves out of the rut they are in at the moment. But whether or not the Portuguese will start his strongest 11 to try and do so, remains to be seen.
Kick Off
The Europa League match will be played at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on 3 November, Thursday at 6 pm GMT.
Team News
Fenerbahce – Fenerbahce have no notable injuries and almost have a clean bill of health ahead of United’s visit meaning they are likely to start their best eleven on Thursday night.
Manchester United – José Mourinho will be without Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones for the trip to Istanbul although Anthony Martial and Chris Smalling could be fit in time to face Fenerbahce.
Predicted Line-up
Fenerbahce – Demirel; Wiel, Kjaer, Skrtel, Kaldirim; Topal, Souza; Potuk, Van Persie, Sen; Emenike
Manchester United – De Gea; Darmian, Fosu-Mensah, Rojo, Shaw; Herrera, Pogba; Lingard, Mkhitaryan, Martial; Rooney
Key Stats
Fenerbahçe are unbeaten in seven European home games (W6 D1), winning the last five. They have kept clean sheets in five of those seven matches.
United have gone six games without a European away win (D1 L5) and failed to score in the most recent two of those matches.
Rooney needs one more goal to join Ruud van Nistelrooy as United’s all-time top marksman in UEFA competition with 37 goals.
Betting Odds
Fenerbahce win – 23/10
Draw – 12/5
Manchester United – 23/20
Prediction
Fenerbahce are a different proposition in their own backyard with the pulsating atmosphere they generate in Istanbul and they have only lost one in the last nine games with that defeat coming at Old Trafford. United will do very well to get three points on Thursday hence I’m going for an entertaining draw.
Fenerbahce 2-2 Manchester United