Lille v Fenerbahce

Lille vs Fenerbahce Preview

French Ligue 1 hosts, Lille, will enter this season's Champions League at the 3rd qualifying round stage where they will need to navigate their way past their Turkish counterparts, Fenerbahce, over two legs if they are to have a chance of making it through to the lucrative group stage of this competition and they will have been boosted by their recent 3-1 home win against Celta Vigo in last week's pre-season warm-up game.

Lille finished last season's Ligue 1 campaign in a creditable fourth place which has earned the hosts a place in this 3rd qualifying round of the Champions League which was thanks to a 2-1 win away from home at Nantes along with a final day of the season 2-2 draw at home with Nice.

The French hosts have since played six pre-season friendlies which have resulted in just one defeat, two draws but also three wins with Bruno Genesio's side collecting victories against the likes of Deinze, Gent and aforementioned Celta Vigo.

Interestingly, the goals market appeals here as no fewer than eight out of Lille's last 10 games in all competitions have resulted in both teams hitting the back of the net and this trend looks likely to continue here on Tuesday night.

Fenerbahce had to work hard and outscore their previous opponents in the 2nd qualifying round of the Champions League as the Turkish club eventually ran out 6-4 winners on aggregate against Swiss outfit, Lugano, in a high-scoring affair over two legs.

Fenerbahce registered a 4-3 win away from home in the 1st leg in Switzerland before recording a 2-1 win at home in the return leg and the upcoming visitors may well need to score more than once if they are to see off their French Ligue 1 opponents in this European tie as well.

The bigger picture shows Fenerbahce are likely to be tough opponents for Lille though as the visitors have suffered just one defeat in their previous 13 games in all competitions, picking up no fewer than nine wins along the way.

Five of Fenerbahce's last 10 games overall have also resulted in both teams scoring as well, while Jose Mourinho's side have also scored at least once in 10 of their last 12 outings on the road as well.

Lille v Fenerbahce Verdict

Lille and Fenerbahce have only met on two occasions previously as they were involved in a Europa League tie back in 2010 which resulted in both ties producing goals for both teams; a 2-1 home win for Lille in the 1st leg was followed by a 1-1 draw in the 2nd leg, and as both sides have been involved in numerous games involving goals at both ends of the pitch, this option looks promising here.

Therefore, our main bet will be BTTS Yes @ 1.83

Other side bets worth considering:

Draw @ 3.40

Correct Score: 1-1 @ 6.50