Sevilla head into the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie with Fenerbahce holding a commanding advantage from the first fixture.
The Spanish outfit ran out 2-0 victors on familiar territory to leave their Turkish hosts up against it at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on Thursday evening.
Match preview
© Reuters
With Sevilla having lost three matches in succession ahead of the first leg, Fenerbahce would have been confident of adding to the woes of the serial winners of this competition.
For 56 minutes, the visitors would have been satisfied with their efforts at Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan, but goals from Joan Jordan and Erik Lamela changed the course of the tie in Sevilla's favour.
Like in the previous round versus PSV Eindhoven, Sevilla showed their capabilities on the continental scene, arguably rendering their dismal domestic efforts as meaningless as they continue to show signs that they can again lift this trophy.
Guaranteeing their La Liga status is far more important, however, and Jorge Sampaoli would have been a relieved man as Sevilla came from behind to beat relegation rivals Almeria by a 2-1 scoreline.
Sevilla went into that contest at the weekend level on points with opponents who now sit in 19th spot, highlighting the position that Sampaoli's team would have found themselves in should they have succumbed to defeat.
© Reuters
For the second game in succession, Lamela came off the substitutes' bench to net an important goal, the Argentine playmaker now having six strikes for the campaign.
From Fenerbahce's perspective, their domestic schedule has been heavily disrupted courtesy of the devastating earthquakes which hit Turkey at the start of February.
Jorge Jesus's side have played just two league fixtures since then, and they were not in action at the weekend as Sevilla worked hard to collect a valuable three points.
Before losing last Thursday, Fenerbahce had gone seven matches without defeat, recording six wins and 18 goals in the process.
Team News
© Reuters
Having proven his fitness in a 23-minute outing from the substitutes' bench last week, Michy Batshuayi could return to the Fenerbahce attack.
Diego Rossi may also be drafted back into the team, with Miguel Crespo and Joshua King potentially missing out.
With an important fixture at Getafe to come on Sunday, Sampaoli must find a balance when naming his Sevilla XI for this fixture.
Lamela may be rewarded for his recent contributions with a starting spot, while Rafa Mir could get the nod in attack with Youssef En-Nesyri having started the last three games.
Although Loic Bade impressed on his return from injury versus Almeria, Sampaoli is unlikely to risk the January arrival, potentially using Alex Telles in a back three and Marcos Acuna playing at left wing-back.
Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:
Bayindir; Kadioglu, Aziz, Akaydin, Szalai, Lincoln; Kahveci, Arao, Rossi; Valencia, Batshuayi
Sevilla possible starting lineup:
Dmitrovic; Nianzou, Gudelj, Telles; Navas; Fernando, Rakitic, Acuna; Lamela, Gil; Mir
We say: Fenerbahce 1-1 Sevilla (Sevilla to win 3-1 on aggregate)
Given Sevilla's away form this campaign, progression to the next round is unlikely to be a formality. Nevertheless, we would be surprised if the visitors do not score in Turkey, with a competitive draw the most likely outcome in our eyes.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Darren Plant
