A Win to Seal Qualification for Fenerbahce
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One of the earlier games to kick off on Thursday in the UEFA Europa League is the contest between Fenerbahce and Dinamo Zagreb. This is a vital match for the Turkish club as they know a win would seal a place in the knockout stages while a defeat could leave them needing points in the last match.
Dinamo Zagreb have already sealed their place in the next stage of the competition but will want to keep their momentum going in preparation for the next round.
Fenerbahce have been struggling badly in the Turkish league this season and find themselves down in 15th place. As things stand, they are in danger of being relegated this season and the defeat at Trabzonspor on the weekend did nothing to improve their situation.
Prior to that loss, things seemed to be on the up for Fenerbahce as they picked up a point in a 2-2 draw with huge rivals Galatasaray in the Turkish league before defeating Anderlecht 2-0 at home in the Europa League. They followed that up with another 2-0 victory at home to Alanyaspor.
Trends show that despite their troubles, Fenerbahce remain tough to beat at home and have lost only two of their last sixteen games at home in all competitions. They also have a great record at home in the Europa League, winning nine and drawing three of their last thirteen home matches.
Fenerbahce have scored in each of their last nineteen home Europa League games but conceded in three of the last five.
Dinamo Zagreb have been flying this season but suffered a setback at the weekend as they went down 1-0 to Rijeka in the HNL league in Croatia. It was their first defeat of the season in their domestic league and Dinamo Zagreb will be determined to bounce back with a win in this game.
You must go back to August to find the previous occasion when Dinamo Zagreb lost a match and that came in the Champions League qualifiers. However, they have found the Europa League to their liking and have won all four of their group games in the competition.
They have played two away matches in the Europa League this season, defeating Anderlecht 2-0 and recording a 2-1 win at Spartak Trnava. Dinamo Zagreb have kept a clean sheet in three of their last four away Europa League matches.
Team news and Fenerbahce will be without both Sener Özbayrakli and Oguz Kagan Güctekin, the latter of which has a broken leg.
Dinamo Zagreb have just one injury concern and Marin Leovac has been struggling but returned to training this week.
Fenerbahce know a win would take them into the next round of the competition and they are very strong at home. This has the makings of a very tight game but with the home advantage, it could be Fenerbahce who come out on top.
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