The UEFA Europa Conference League quarterfinal second leg encounter between Fenerbahçe SK and Olympiacos FC promises excitement, with Olympiacos holding a slender lead from the first leg.
Will Fenerbahçe overturn the deficit, or will Olympiacos maintain their momentum?
Match Preview
Olympiacos enters their UEFA Europa Conference League quarterfinal second leg against Fenerbahce with a three-match winning streak.
The first leg of the quarterfinals between these teams witnessed plenty of goals, with five in total, as Olympiacos secured a 3-2 home win.
However, manager Jose Luis Mendilibar, who guided Sevilla to the Europa League trophy last spring, will be displeased with his team’s failure to maintain a substantial lead.
Olympiacos quickly surged to a 3-0 advantage after 57 minutes, courtesy of goals from Kostas Fortounis, Steven Joventic, and Chiquinho.
Despite appearing set for a significant victory, Olympiacos collapsed unexpectedly.
Fenerbahce’s Dusan Tadic converted a penalty in the 68th minute, and Irfan Kahveci added a second goal with 16 minutes remaining.
Despite being seemingly out of contention, the Canaries revived their hopes with two late goals.
Mendilibar’s squad had the weekend to prepare for the second leg against Fenerbahce in the Conference League quarterfinals, as Olympiacos did not have a match in the Greek Super League, ensuring the players are well-rested.
In contrast, Fenerbahce secured a 2-1 away win against Fatih Karagumruk in the Turkish Super League, coming from behind after trailing 1-0 at halftime to claim victory.
Fenerbahce is currently chasing their arch-rivals, Galatasaray, in the Super League title race, competing for two major trophies.
Fenerbahce has performed well at home this season, boasting a record of 40 wins, 4 draws, and 7 losses, with a goal difference of +83.
Olympiacos has had a decent away record this season, with 12 wins, 7 draws, and 5 losses, accompanied by a goal difference of +25.
Head-to-Head:
Since 2014, Fenerbahce and Olympiacos have met five times, with the Greek side holding the edge, securing three wins and suffering two defeats in all competitions.
All three of Olympiacos’ victories against Fenerbahce occurred in their last three encounters, all played in the Europa League from 2021 to 2024.
Team News & Updates:
Olympiacos’ leading scorer Ayoub El Kaabi has found the net 25 times in all competitions, including five goals in the Conference League.
Prediction & Analysis:
With Olympiacos holding a slender lead and boasting a three-match winning streak against Fenerbahçe, the odds favor the Greek side.
However, Fenerbahçe’s formidable home record and their determination to stage a comeback cannot be overlooked.
Expect a closely contested affair with goals on both ends, ultimately culminating in Olympiacos securing a narrow 2-1 victory on the road, securing their spot in the next round of the Europa Conference League.
- Fenerbahçe 1-2 Olympiacos
