Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan will host Thursday’s Europa League game between Sevilla and Fenerbahce, the two teams who meet in European competitions for the first time since March 2008. Los Sevillanos aim to recover from a heavy 6-1 loss to Atletico Madrid, and it is well known that they produce much better showings at home than on the travels. Fernando is back from the La Liga ban, while all Loic Bade, Karim Rekik, and Jesus Manuel Corona remain on the sidelines with injuries.
Fenerbahce, on the other hand, aim to build on back-to-back wins over Konyaspor and Kayserispor, but seeing that Sevilla have turned their “Pizjuan” into a real fortress, we are tempted to put our money on the La Liga outfit. As for the away team, all Alioski, Gustavo Henrique, Luan Peres, and Sangare have been struggling with injuries of late.
Highlighted Player (Marcos Acuña):
Marcos Acuna is an Argentina international who plays for Sporting Club de Portugal as a winger. Born in Zapala, Argentina on October 28, 1991, Acuna started his senior career at Ferro Carril Oeste. After scoring 5 goals in 117 appearances for the Argentine club from 2010 to 2014, he moved to Racing Club in the summer of 2014.
The 172-cm-tall footballer looked sharper in front of goal during his spell with la Academia, scoring 16 goals in 78 appearances for the club. In June 2017 Marcos Acuna decided to take a step forward in his career, joining Portuguese outfit Sporting CP. He made his debut with the Lions in a 2-0 win over Deportivo Aves on August 6, 2017.
Acuna plays for the Argentine national team as well, making his debut for la Albiceleste on November 15, 2016 in a World Cup qualifier against Colombia. His main position is left-back, but he is used as both left midfielder and left winger as well.
Highlighted Team (Fenerbahce):
Fenerbahce are one of the biggest football clubs in Turkey. The Kanaryalar were founded on 3 May, 1907 as Fenerbahce Futbol Kulubu. Fener won their first domestic trophy in 1959 and they quickly established themselves as one of the main forces in Turkish football.
In 2014 Fenerbahce clinched their 19th league title, with the team finishing the season nine points clear of Besiktas. Galatasaray are considered Fener’s bitterest rivals and the two teams face each other in Kitalar Arasi Derbi. The rivalry between the clubs started back in 1934, when a friendly between the two teams was abandoned due to riots. Besiktas are regarded as Fenerbahce’s big rivals as well.
The likes of Mujdat Yetkiner, Zeki Riza Sporel, Aykut Kocaman, Emre Belozoglu, Alex, Nicolas Anelka, Diego Lugano, Roberto Carlos and Dirk Kuyt are famous footballers who played for the club in the past. The Kanaryalar play their home games at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, the venue that was opened in 1908. Fener’s home kits are navy blue and yellow.