Preview: Fenerbahce vs. AEK Larnaca - prediction, team news, lineups

The Turkish side have taken four points from their two group games, while the visitors have three points to their name after beating Dynamo Kyiv on matchday two.

Match preview

Fenerbahce have excelled under Jorge Jesus this season, losing only one of their 15 competitive games inside 90 minutes.

Despite losing to Dynamo Kyiv in Champions League qualifying, Fenerbahce have avoided defeat in all six of their Europa League games this term.

Slovacko and Austria Vienna were ousted in the qualifying rounds, and after Dynamo Kyiv also dropped down to the Europa League, Fenerbahce avenged their previous defeat with a 2-1 victory before drawing 2-2 against Rennes in their most recent European outing.

Since coming from two goals down to collect a precious point in France, Fenerbahce have hammered Alanyaspor 5-0, while their derby encounter against Besiktas at the weekend ended goalless.

As the Yellow Canaries turn their attention to Thursday's contest, they will be confident that they can claim maximum points after winning their last five home matches in all competitions by a combined 17-4.

While the hosts occupy top spot in the Group, AEK Larnaca currently sit one point adrift in third position ahead of back-to-back Europa League games against Fenerbahce.

The Cypriot side also had to make their way through Europa League qualifying, beating Partizan Belgrade and Dnipro-1 to progress to the main draw.

Larnaca were left to rue a 94th-minute winner from Rennes defender Lorenz Assignon on matchday one, but they managed to find a response in their second group game against Dynamo Kyiv.

Adam Gyurcso's eighth-minute strike proved enough to secure Larnaca's first victory of the group stage, while the result has also helped Larnaca win three of their previous four matches in all competitions.

Including qualifying games, the Cypriot outfit have lost only one of their previous eight Europa League away games, which will act as a confidence boost ahead of a meeting with a Fenerbahce side who have won all three of their home matches in the competition this term.

Fenerbahce Europa League form:

W

D

W

W

W

D

Fenerbahce form (all competitions):

L

W

W

D

W

D

AEK Larnaca Europa League form:

W

D

W

W

L

W

AEK Larnaca form (all competitions):

Team News

The hosts are expected to be without the services of Luan Peres, Nazim Sangare and Joshua King due to injury issues.

After returning from injury to play the entirety of Sunday's derby against Besiktas, Serdar Aziz is expected to retain his position in the Fenerbahce backline.

Ezgjan Alioski could come into the side to feature as a left wing-back, while Diego Rossi is also in contention for starting place.

As for the visitors, they are unable to call upon Andreas Paraskevas and Bruno Gama, who are both currently sidelined with injuries.

After coming off the bench at half time in Saturday's league meeting with Anorthosis, Kypros Christoforou may come into the starting lineup for the trip to Turkey.

Meanwhile, Ivan Trickovski is set to retain his place up front after opening his account for the season at the weekend.

Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:

Bayindir; Aziz, Szalai, Henrique; Kadioglu, Crespo, Arao, Alioski; Kahveci, Rossi, Valencia

AEK Larnaca possible starting lineup:

Piric; Christoforou; Tomovic, Milicevic, Englezou; Ledes, Oier; Faraj, Altman, Gyurcso; Trickovski

We say: Fenerbahce 3-1 AEK Larnaca

Although Larnaca have won three of their last four games in all competitions, we think that they fall short against a Fenerbahce side who are aiming to clinch a sixth consecutive home victory.

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