Fenerbahce qualified from the the group at the top after beating Twente in Holland and going out to this match in a relaxed mood and with some rotational players.

Sheriff Tiraspol on the other hand still has a chance for qualification if they take all the three points here, they will have to wait Twente to slip in Steaua match though.

Well, Fenerbahce will field some rotational players but they still have some quality to stay in the match at their home venue. This match will also have an important meaning to Fenerbahce supporters as this is the farewell match of Roberto Carlos; he is leaving to Corinthians in a week and this is his last meeting with his fans. This might a little bit put some motivation to Fenerbahce side but still not a good enough to back a relaxed Fenerbahce which already qualified at the top of the group.

Sheriff Tiraspol looked a balanced team with an acceptable potential. They had some good performances and their having a chance to qualify on the last match day shows they are actually doing above the expectations already. They are going to give all they got at this match and try to win and wait for a result that would put them into the next round.

As for prediction; I think this game might produce some goals as Fenerbahce will try to satisfy their fans at least with a good performance while Sheriff Tiraspol will be doing everything for a win to keep their hopes alive.

Prediction
Goals | Over 2,5

Everton stay in the second place and already qualified from the group. According to the reports team will be on the pitch with young and rotational players.

BATE Borisov have also no motives when it comes to qualifiation as they already failed to qualify.

In the first match BATE Borisov was actually impressive as a team but just couldn’t get the result in a match they looked lively. Saying Everton was fortunate to get away with a 1-2 win shouldn’t be wrong.

As for prediction; I expect BATE Borisov to perform above the expectations against this inexperienced starting line-up Everton will field. BATE Borisov players will also be extra motivated to show some skills in England which could be conidered as an opportunity as the transfer window is approaching. I’ll go for a double chance in favor of BATE Borisov.

Prediction
BATE Borisov | X2 Double Chance

Twente are flying high in the domestic league and staying on the top of the standings. They have been quite impressive and they are not only getting results but also performing some quality football lately. They have their tenth victory in a row in the domestic league.

Fenerbahce on the other hand are having some hard times despite staying on the top of the Turkish Super League. They lost a local derby before the last matchday, and lost to relegation zone team Kasimpasa on the last matchday. Kasimpasa match was mentioned in the prediction here.

In the first game of this clash, Twente beat Fenerbahce 1-2 in Istanbul, thanks to the two goals came in 10 minutes and that defeat was the only defeat Fenerbahce got in this group; they have won the all three games since then and staying at the top of the group.

Fenerbahce have important missings for this match. Their enthusiastic and talented midfielder Emre Belozoglu will be out due to injury. His absence effects them too much. Colin Kazim-Richards will miss the game due to injury as well. A defensive midfielder will replace Emre’s position and that will lower the creativity and balance in the midfield but give extra strength to the team defense.

Twente will be with full squad except Theo who was already out due to a long term injury.

Fenerbahce manager Daum said in his press conference that they will gain their momentum starting from this match. Players are also under heavy criticism and they know they will silence those only if they produce some positiveness on the pitch.

Twente manager McLaren seemed comfortable in the press conference and stated that they surprised Fenerbahce in the first match and gave them their only defeat in the group but he added that now Fenerbahce are aware of Twente’s strong sides plus the willingness of Fenerbahce players to produce a good result after a two weeks bad run in their domestic league will make things harder for Twente.

The extra fan support Fenerbahce will have in Netherlands have to be underlined as well.

As for prediction; I am expecting a tactical battle in this match. A loss would damage Twente a lot as they sit on the second place and they are still under danger. They won’t risk to lose and will probably choose a conservative approach to the game. Fenerbahce on the other hand will be more than OK with a draw as it will keep them at the top before the last matchday. I don’t think this clash will produce too many goals considering the facts mentioned above.

Prediction
Goals | Under 2,5
Extras
Draw at HT | Draw at FT

AEK is in a bad shape. They hardly score and team’s harmony is falled apart. Their strongest part is team defense, a typical Greek mentality of style; they keep waiting for an oportunity ot two, or a set-piece to score. They will have some suspended plaayers and their central centre back might be a player who is actually a side back, but still that won’t change the mentality. AEK ’s loyal fans are expecting at least a good run in the Europa League as they are definately out for domestic cup and probably in domestic league.

BATE is not less then AEK when it comes to struggle, they weren’t the team they used be in a couple of years back. They are mediocre at all and still they have a similiar game style mentality as AEK. No a goal machine but slightly above average defense.

Prediction
Goals | Under 2,5
Extras
Goals | Under 1,5
Draw
Draw at HT / Draw at FT

Lille is an interesting side. Even they stay in low-mid table in the domestic league standings; they have the ability to attack effectively, weird enough for French league.

Genoa is kind of exhausted as a team before this game, especially the regular starters. They lack the quantity in squad and struggling to cope playing in two competitions. Therefore, coach Gasperini will be looking to use some rotation players in the game. Those players will add a value to the game though by trying to show some performance to get more involved in the starting line-up.

Prediction
Goals | Over 2,5
Extras
Lille | X2 Double Chance
Draw at HT / Lille at FT

Fenerbahce are enjoying their lead in the domestic league with a three points clearance. They have a great run of 9 wins in 11 games and they have won all the home games in their domestic campaign. They also lead their Europa League group with 2 wins and 1 loss. I remember a speech of their coach, Daum, that their priority will be domestic league to keep playing in the Champions League next year but that statement was definately not mean they will throw away all the points. No need to mention huge fan support they have.

Steaua on the other hand probably forget how scoring feels like as they are goalles in the group with 2 draws and 2 losses. They have a defensive mentality wihtout any creativity in offense, expecting to grab points if luck helps them. Hard to rely on, eh?

Prediction
Fenerbahce | Win
Extras
Under 2,5 Goals
Draw at HT / Fenerbahce at FT

Lazio is in kind of a crisis in Italian League. Their coach is on thin ice and would have been looking for a new job if they lost to Siena on the last match day. They will be facing AC Milan next matchday and that match is all that matters for Lazio to turn things around. Europa League in this kind of situations is not a priority for most of the top level league teams.

Villareal on the other hand is not a team to trust that much, especially this season but as mentioned above Lazio’s being in this situation and probably placing rotation players on the pitch plus Villareal’s need of three points; the value is on Villareal win.

Prediction
Villareal | Win
Extras
Draw at HT / Villareal  at FT

Shakhtar Donetsk with the experienced coach Lucescu is accepted one of the Europa League title contenders while they are kind of the title holders by winning the last UEFA Cup. Their strongest part is the defensive approach to the games with having great attacking options when needed. They are kind of a team that makes the opponents sleep and then take a bite. This kind of game style is a great advantage in European Cup competitions.

Toulouse on the other hand is struggling in both domestic and European competitions. Although on the last matchday  in French League they were able to grab a point from Marseille with ten men, the team lacks quality in many areas.

There is an obvious class difference between both teams and Shaktar Donetsk will not be generous to give out all the three points here.

Prediction
Shaktar Donetsk | X2 Double Chance
Extras
Shaktar Donetsk | Win
Under 2,5
Draw at HT / Shaktar Donetsk at FT