Sturm Graz vs Fenerbahce - prediction, team news, lineups

Sturm Graz indispensable overturn a two-goal shortage to support their Champions League dreams live erstwhile they invited Fenerbahce to Merkur Arena for the 2nd limb of their 3rd qualifying circular tie.

The Austrian outfit suffered a 2-0 loss erstwhile the teams met successful Istanbul past week, a effect which leaves the Turkish broadside successful the driving spot arsenic they proceed their quest for a long-awaited instrumentality to the main signifier of Europe's top-tier nine competition.

Match preview

Sturm's triumph implicit Hearts successful the erstwhile qualifying circular felt similar a locomotion successful the park, but the Austrian outfit person their enactment chopped retired to support their dreams of returning to the Champions League due live pursuing their 2024-25 league signifier campaign.

A dilatory commencement proved costly for Fabio Ingolitsch's side, who conceded an aboriginal opener from Talisca earlier Mason Greenwood doubled the pb for the Turkish heavyweights connected the cusp of fractional time, with the scoreline remaining unchanged aft the interval.

However, Sturm bounced backmost from their continental setback connected Saturday, acknowledgment to a Nelson Weiper-inspired 2-0 triumph astatine Hartberg connected matchday 2 of the Austrian apical flight, and the Graz nine volition look to transportation that momentum into their comeback task connected Tuesday.

The Blacks person each crushed to believe, having won six of their 9 location European games, with the astir caller being a 4-0 triumph implicit Hearts successful the erstwhile round, though the anterior 5 continental wins astatine Merkur Arena each came by a borderline that would inactive spot them eliminated from this tie.

Failure to propulsion disconnected a comeback means Sturm volition diagnostic successful the Europa League league signifier for a 2nd consecutive season, with the loser of this Champions League qualifying necktie transferred straight to the main signifier of Europe's second-tier nine competition.

Meanwhile, Fenerbahce's travel successful the Europa League ended successful the knockout playoff circular past season, though the Istanbul outfit person not reached the main signifier of the Champions League since 2008-09, and past week's first-leg triumph has taken them a measurement person to breaking that unwanted record.

The effect besides ensured that the Yellow Canaries stay unbeaten successful their 3 competitory outings this play nether Ismail Kartal, having avoided decision crossed some legs of their 2-1 aggregate triumph implicit Gornik Zabrze successful the erstwhile round.  

While Fenerbahce person a two-goal cushion entering Tuesday's encounter, the Turkish broadside tin besides beryllium assured of advancing fixed they person avoided decision successful each of their past 5 matches connected the roadworthy successful Europe (W2, D3).

Progression beyond this signifier volition spot the Yellow Canaries look either Sparta Prague oregon Lyon successful the playoffs, and manager Kartal, who was appointed successful June, volition look to spell 1 amended than his caller predecessors, with Fener exiting astatine the aforesaid signifier nether Jose Mourinho past season.

Sturm Graz Champions League form:

Sturm Graz signifier (all competitions):

Fenerbahce Champions League form:

Team News

Sturm seemingly did not endure immoderate caller injuries crossed their past 2 outings, though Amady Camara and Otar Kiteishvili stay doubtful to diagnostic connected Tuesday owed to fittingness issues.

Simon Seidl and Weiper came disconnected the seat to animate Ingolitsch's broadside to triumph astatine the weekend, with the erstwhile providing some assists for the latter's goals, and portion Seidl is expected to instrumentality to the lineup, Weiper has strengthened his lawsuit adjacent if helium is improbable to start.

Fenerbahce volition beryllium without defender Jayden Oosterwolde, who suffered a partial hamstring tendon teardrop successful past week's archetypal leg, with Archie Brown expected to deputise connected the near broadside of defence.

Talisca has recovered the nett successful each of the Yellow Canaries’ 3 Champions League outings this play and is expected to pb the enactment erstwhile again, portion summertime signing Greenwood should support his spot connected the close flank aft opening his relationship for the nine connected his afloat debut.

Sturm Graz imaginable starting lineup:

Khudyakov; Heil, Vallci, Mitchell, Soglo; Hodl, Weinhandl, Stankovic, Seidl; Wlodarczyk, Jatta

Fenerbahce imaginable starting lineup:

Gunok; Semedo, Skriniar, Ake, Brown; Guendouzi, Kante; Greenwood, Asensio, Akturkoglu; Talisca

We say: Sturm Graz 1-1 Fenerbahce (Fenerbahce triumph 3-1 aggregate)

Although Sturm person an awesome grounds astatine location successful Europe, they besides look a Fenerbahce broadside who person proved resilient connected their continental travels.

As such, some teams are expected to cancel each different out, making a gully a feasible result arsenic Fenerbahce look to determination a measurement person to ending their agelong exile from the Champions League main stage.

For information investigation of the astir apt results, scorelines and much for this lucifer delight click here.