Fenerbahçe-Sevilla is a Europa League round of 16 return match to be played on Thursday at 18:45: TV, formations, predictions.
The good old Europa League continues to be an inexhaustible source of oxygen for Sevilla, who have emerged from one of their season’s many downturns in the event that the Andalusian club have won six times in the last 20 years.
Reduced from a humiliating 6-1 defeat at the Metropolitano against Atletico Madrid, Jorge Sampaoli’s side secured quarter-final qualification on Thursday by beating a hostile Fenerbahçe 2-0 thanks to goals from Jordan and Lamela, both scored in the second half. It was a hard-fought but deserved success that brings the red and whites closer to the next round and could be a turning point in the league. In the La Liga, strange but true, Sevilla are barely two points above the relegation zone: in this sense, last Sunday’s victory in the direct clash with Almeria, defeated 2-1 at the ‘Pizjuan’, was fundamental, allowing the Argentine coach and his men to move away from the third-last position. The Europa League thus becomes the primary objective in a year that has brought few satisfactions. Winning the cup could be the only way to play in the European cups again next year, considering that at the moment a comeback in La Liga seems out of reach.
Hopeful of a comeback for the Turks
Qualifying hopes hanging by a thread for Jorge Jesus’ Turkish side, who wasted what chances they managed to build in the first half in Spain.
King thwarted by Gudelj
Fenerbahçe need to win by at least three goals to be certain of eliminating Sevilla. Not an impossible feat, but a difficult one nonetheless. The Gialloblù in Istanbul will have to try to imitate Psv Eindhoven, who, in the return leg of the play-off to reach the round of 16, came close to a resounding comeback, getting the better of the Andalusians 2-0. It was not enough, as the first leg had ended 3-0 to Rakitic and co. Fenerbahçe were not involved in the league at the weekend and could only focus on the return match. In the Super Liga, meanwhile, Galatasaray are running away and after their success against Kasimpasa they are now +9 from their city rivals. Jorge Jesus is thinking of making a change from a week ago, and in place of King and Crespo should be Rossi and Batshuayi. Badé, one of the best performers against Almeria on Sunday, returns in the Sevilla defence, but Rekik, Papu Gomez, Marcao and Gueye will be missing.
The Prediction
In comparison to the match seven days ago, Fenerbahçe should be able to find the way of the goal on at least one occasion but are unlikely to complete the comeback. It will be a one-goal match with the Turks likely to avoid defeat.
Fenerbahçe-Sevilla’s likely line-up
- FENERBAHCE (3-5-2): Bayindir; Aziz, Akaydin, Szalai; Kadioglu, Kahveci, Willian Arao, Rossi, Lincoln; Valencia, Batshuayi.
- SWISS (3-4-2-1): Dmitrovic; Badé, Nianzou, Gudelj; Jesus Navas, Jordan, Rakitic, Alex Telles; Suso, Ocampos; En-Nesyri.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
