Fenerbahce v Union Saint Gilloise

Fenerbahce v Royale Union SG Preview

Fenerbahce will be eager to bounce back from their recent 3-1 defeat at home to Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig last weekend when they hold home advantage once again on Thursday night when they take on Belgian outfit Royale Union SG, while the visitors were involved in yet another stalemate in the domestic First Division A, drawing 0-0 away from home at Standard Liege.

Fenerbahce had previously strung together a promising looking six-game unbeaten stretch which consisted of four wins and two draws and having gained victories over the likes of Adana Demirspor, Rizespor, Alanyaspor and Kasimpasa in the Turkish top flight, Thursday night's hosts will still feel confident about their chances here at their Ülker Stadyumu Fenerbahçe.

The wider picture shows Fenerbahce have suffered just the two defeats within their previous 12 matches in all competitions which also includes picking up a total of eight wins including home and away wins against Swiss club Lugano in the qualifying rounds of the Champions League by virtue of 2-1 and 4-3 wins respectively.

In addition, Fenerbahce have produced some impressive results on home soil at their Ülker Stadyumu Fenerbahçe where the hosts have lost just twice in their previous 11 home games, picking up eight wins in the process.

Royale Union SG have struggled to get a foothold in their domestic Belgian top flight campaign to date as the visitors have managed to collect just two wins in their opening eight games in the First Division A which came in the form of victories against Beerschot and Sporting Charleroi, both of which were achieved on home soil at their Stade Joseph Mariën.

However, Royale Union have also succumbed to four defeats within this disappointing eight-match period as the visitors have been dealt losses at the hands of Slavia Prague (home and away in a previous Champions League qualifier), Westerlo and Antwerp respectively.

Having fallen at the third qualifying round stage of the Champions League, Royale Union will now be looking to take their chances in the European second tier club competition but with just one win from their last eight matches in all competitions, the Belgian visitors look to have their work cut out ahead of this upcoming trip to face Fenerbahce.

In addition, Royale Union have now failed to win any of their last six away games overall which consists of three draws and three defeats along with failing to score in four of these previous six outings as well, which does not bode well for this upcoming tussle.

Fenerbahce v Royale Union SG Verdict

Fenerbahce's strong and consistent results on home soil should see Jose Mourinho's side over the line in this opening home game of their Europa League campaign.

Therefore, our main bet will be Fenerbahce win @ 1.60

Other side bets worth considering:

Fenerbahce win & Over 2.5 goals @ 2.50

Correct Score: Fenerbahce 2-1 @ 8.50