Miguel Solomons
Dailysports's expert
Fenerbahce
Anderlecht
Fenerbahçe will face Anderlecht in the UEFA Europa League knockout round on Thursday, February 13, at 18:45 CET. Here’s my pick for the match winner.
Match facts & head-to-head (H2H)
- Fenerbahçe is unbeaten in 12 consecutive matches, with three straight wins.
- Anderlecht has failed to win in their last three away matches (one draw, two losses).
- Fenerbahçe has scored in five straight games.
- Anderlecht has conceded in their last three away fixtures.
- Fenerbahçe has scored over 1.5 goals in 92% of their matches this season.
- Fenerbahçe has scored in both halves in 44% of their games, while Anderlecht has done so in 35%.
- Anderlecht has kept a clean sheet in 35% of their matches this season, compared to Fenerbahçe’s 31%.
- Fenerbahçe has lost only 6% of their matches without scoring, while Anderlecht has failed to score in 13% of their games.
- The two clubs have met four times in history, with Fenerbahçe winning three and drawing one.
Match preview
Fenerbahçe has struggled in the Europa League recently, failing to win any of their last three matches. However, they managed to qualify for the knockout round, securing the final available spot in the standings. Over eight group-stage matches, the Yellow Canaries accumulated 10 points and advanced based on tiebreakers over two other teams with the same total. Despite their European struggles, Fenerbahçe is in excellent domestic form, remaining unbeaten in their last 12 matches. They are also firmly in the Turkish Super Lig title race, trailing the league leader by only three points.
Anderlecht, on the other hand, is struggling in the Belgian Pro League, sitting in fourth place with a massive 15-point gap behind the leaders, making a title challenge highly unlikely. Their Europa League campaign has been more successful, as they finished 10th in the overall group stage standings with 14 points from eight matches. However, a loss in their final group-stage match cost them direct qualification to the Round of 16. Anderlecht has been inconsistent recently, with two wins, two losses, and a draw in their last five matches.
Probable lineups
- Fenerbahçe: Egri Bayrat; Osayi-Samuel, Škriniar, Amrabat, Kostić; Fred, Szymański; Talisca, Tadić, Saint-Maximin; En-Nesyri.
- Anderlecht: Coosemans; Sardella, Hey, Adrielson, Augustinsson; Verschaeren, Dendoncker, Stroeykens; Hazard, Dolberg, Huerta.
Prediction
Despite Anderlecht’s strong Europa League campaign, they are not favorites in this matchup. Fenerbahçe is a dominant force at home and significantly strengthened their squad during the transfer window. Given their current form and home advantage, I predict a Fenerbahçe victory.
Betting tip: Fenerbahçe to win – odds at 1.51.
