One of the most anticipated ties of the Europa League knockout schedule comes in the Turkish capital this week as Nottingham Forest travel east to take on Fenerbahce in Istanbul.
The first leg kicks off on Thursday 19th February at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, with the return at the City Ground a week later. Fenerbahce come into the tie off a mixed recent European record, with just one win in their last five Europa League matches, with a D‑L‑W‑D‑D pattern across the most recent five games, while Forest’s form line in the competition shows W‑L‑W‑W‑D, underlining the Premier League side as the slightly more consistent outfit on this stage.
Fenerbahce’s Europa League goal numbers are pretty respectable, with ten goals scored and seven conceded in eight games. While their defensive record is solid, they'll recognise that they've been short of expectation going forward, and they'll have to rectify that if they want to go deep in this competition.
Forest’s Europa League numbers this season are markedly stronger. The Tricky Trees have 15 goals scored and just 7 conceded in 8 matches, averaging 1.88 for and 0.88 against per game, with four clean sheets, exactly half their games, and only three matches where they have conceded at all. They average 52.63% possession and 85.75% passing accuracy, indications of a side comfortable on the ball but also structured enough out of possession to limit chances against.
Fenerbahce, once again, find themselves trailing rivals Galatasary in the league table, sitting 2nd in the Super Lig standings. Forest, meanwhile, are deep in a Premier League relegation scrap, raising concerns about how much of a priority this competition will now be for them. Fenerbahce are unbeaten in their last five games, winning four of those, while Forest are coming off the back of three very poor league showings.
The English side do, however, have a new manager in the dugout in Vitor Pereira, with Sean Dyche being relieved of his duties following a 0-0 draw with Wolves. They'll need to hope that provides them with the necessary bounce to increase their performance levels, because recent showings don't point to a likely win in Turkey.
Fenerbahce 2-1 Nottingham Forest
