Fenerbahce and FC Slovacko will be looking to edge closer to qualifying for the Europa League proper when they lock horns in the first leg of their third qualifying tie at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul on Thursday night.
Fenerbahce dropped from the Champions league after falling 2-1 on aggregate to Dinamo Kiev in the second round. They now carry on their European qualification in the Europa League where they played in Group D last season.
They beat HJK in the playoff round to book their spot in Group D and will be hoping for the same this year. They are still to begin the domestic campaign but they are a pretty solid team at home and will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage before traveling to Czech Republic next week for the second leg.
Meanwhile Slovacko secured their spot at this stage of Europa League qualification campaign by finishing fourth in the Czech First League last season.
The Czechs have already kicked off they domestic league campaign, drawing 2-2 with Zbrojovka Brno on Saturday, making it three draws in a row as they were previously coming of back-to-back draws in the pre-season.
Now making their debut in the Europa League, Slovacko will be keen to turn that around as they hope to go through to the group stage. A victory on Thursday will put them in a strong position ahead of the reverse leg at home.
Fenerbahce vs Slovacko head to head
The two sides will be meeting for the first time in this fixture. Take a look at their previous results;
Home
- Fenerbahce 1-2 Dynamo Kiev
- Dynamo Kiev 0-0 Fenerbahce
- Fenerbahce 2-0 Hull
- Fenerbahce 3-0 Fehervar Szekesfeh
- Fenerbahce 1-0 Partizan
Away
- Brno 2-2 Slovacko
- Ashdod 1-1 Slovacko
- Trabzonspor 2-2 Slovacko
- Slovacko 2-0 MFK Vyskov
- Slovacko 2-0 Trinec
Fenerbahce team news
Fenerbahce will be without Serdar Aziz, Mert Hakan Yandas and Nazin Sangare due to injuries, while Ismail Yuksek will miss through suspension.
Slovacko team news
Slovacko have no fresh injury concerns ahead of the clash.
Prediction and odds
- Fenerbahce win
- Both sides to score (NO)
- Goals under 2.5
