The Champions League playoffs take centre stage tonight as Fenerbahce host Lyon in the first leg of a huge tie in Istanbul, with both clubs just one step away from reaching the league phase.
We’re backing the Turkish giants to make home advantage count in our 67.00 Bet Builder, with five selections covering the result, goals, shots and cards.
Our 67.00 Fenerbahce vs Lyon Bet Builder
- Fenerbahce to win
- Over 2.5 Goals
- Talisca to score anytime
- Tyler Morton 2+ shots
- Corentin Tolisso to be carded
Combined odds: 67.00
Odds correct at time of writing and subject to change.
Fenerbahce to Win
Fenerbahce have been waiting a long time to return to the main stage of the Champions League, having last featured there in 2008. After overcoming Gornik Zabrze and Sturm Graz in qualifying, they now face their biggest test yet.
Their shock 2-1 league defeat to Genclerbirligi at the weekend was far from ideal preparation, but a European night in front of their own supporters should be a very different proposition.
Lyon also showed some vulnerability in the previous round, losing 2-1 away to Sparta Prague before turning the tie around with a 3-0 victory in France. With home advantage potentially crucial over these two legs, we’re backing Fenerbahce to take a lead to Lyon.
Over 2.5 Goals
There is plenty of attacking quality on both sides, while neither has looked completely secure during the opening weeks of the season.
Fenerbahce conceded twice in their domestic opener, while Lyon have already experienced a 2-1 defeat and 3-0 victory in Champions League qualifying. With the hosts needing to make the most of playing the first leg in Istanbul, the game could become increasingly open if there is an early goal.
We’re backing at least three goals across the 90 minutes.
Talisca to Score Anytime
Talisca is the form player heading into this tie, having scored in each of Fenerbahce’s five matches so far this season.
The Brazilian scored 27 times in 45 appearances last term and has carried that form straight into the new campaign. Across four Champions League qualifiers this season, he has registered 22 shots, with 13 hitting the target.
With Romelu Lukaku set to miss out, Talisca should again have an advanced role in the Fenerbahce attack. His current run makes him our pick to find the net tonight.
Tyler Morton 2+ Shots
Tyler Morton arrives in Istanbul with confidence after scoring in Lyon’s 3-0 second-leg victory over Sparta Prague.
The former Liverpool midfielder attempted four shots in that game, including three from outside the penalty area. That willingness to try his luck from distance makes the 2+ shots market particularly interesting.
Fenerbahce have also allowed opponents opportunities from range. Six of Genclerbirligi’s ten attempts at the weekend came from outside the box, while Sturm Graz registered 15 long-range efforts across their recent two-legged tie.
Morton may not need Lyon to dominate possession to get his two attempts away.
Corentin Tolisso to Be Carded
Our final selection backs Lyon captain Corentin Tolisso to be shown a card.
The midfielder averaged 1.7 fouls per 90 minutes as a starter across all competitions last season and received five yellow cards from 30 Ligue 1 appearances. He also picked up two bookings across five pre-season friendlies this summer.
With Lyon likely to spend periods trying to disrupt Fenerbahce in a hostile Istanbul atmosphere, Tolisso’s midfield role should put him in the heart of the action.
Back Our 67.00 Fenerbahce vs Lyon Bet Builder
Fenerbahce have home advantage and an in-form Talisca, but Lyon carry enough attacking threat to help produce an entertaining first leg.
That gives us our five selections at combined odds of 67.00:
