Tedesco’s Fener cannot afford any slip-ups
Domenico Tedesco has only been in charge at Fenerbahce for three weeks, but the German-Italian is already facing pressure to keep his job. Rumor has it that the home game against Antalyaspor at the weekend was already a mini final. After a focused and solid performance, the “Sarı Kanaryalar” won 2-0, thereby (temporarily) preventing another discussion about the coach. However, that could change quickly on Thursday evening if the prediction of a home win for the Turks against Nice does not come true.
The main reason for the unrest surrounding the former Schalke and Leipzig coach was – apart from the fact that president and Tedesco supporter Ali Koc was voted out – the disappointing start to the Europa League group stage. Fener put in an extremely weak performance at Dinamo Zagreb a week ago and lost 3-1, a result they fully deserved.
In order to avoid falling behind in the standings, a home win on Thursday evening is therefore virtually a must. The home advantage and the equally sobering season so far for “Les Aiglons” from the south of France speak in favor of a Fenerbahce vs. Nice prediction for the current second-placed team in the Süperlig. Coach Franck Haise’s team is lagging behind expectations at the national level and suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to AS Roma on the first matchday of the Europa League.
Of the nine competitive games played so far, “Le Gym” has only won two. Both victories came at home. Away from home, they have suffered three defeats in three games across all competitions, conceding a total of nine (!) goals. The Red and Blacks lost by at least two goals at Stade Brest (1-4), Le Havre (1-3) and in the Champions League playoffs at Benfica Lisbon (0-2). Also worrying: OGC Nice has only scored more than one goal once – in the 3-1 win against Auxerre in mid-August.
Furthermore, considering that Fenerbahce earned ten points from their first four league home games and did not lose at home in the Champions League qualifiers against Feyenoord (5-2) or Benfica Lisbon (0-0), several conclusions can be drawn. In any case, it makes sense to place bets on a home win before the match between Fenerbahce and Nice. A match combo of 1X & Under 3.5 is also conceivable, especially since the “Yellow Canaries” have kept a clean sheet in three of the six home games mentioned above and are known for their solid defensive work under Tedesco.
Fenerbahce – Nice Head-to-head comparison / H2H record
Five encounters adorn the statistics of Fenerbahce and Nice. However, the head-to-head should be treated with caution, as all five encounters took place over 50 years ago and therefore logically have no relevant influence on Thursday evening’s direct duel. From a statistical point of view, it is more exciting that Fenerbahce could start a UEFA main competition with two defeats for the first time in 24 years. However, according to the Fenerbahce vs. Nice betting odds, this is not particularly realistic.
Fenerbahce – Nice Tip
After Fenerbahce (1-3 at Dinamo Zagreb) and Nice (1-2 at home against AS Roma) both started the new EL season with defeats, there is already a lot at stake on the second matchday.
The match against the southern French side is particularly important for the home team, who attach great importance to international competition. The same applies to Domenico Tedesco, whose position as coach is already looking shaky after just three weeks in charge.
On Thursday evening, however, I expect his team to prevail. Fenerbahce are a force to be reckoned with at home, while “Les Aiglons” have lost their last ten (!) away games in the Europa League. In general, Haise’s team have failed to pick up any points in three competitive away games since the start of the season. Instead, they have conceded nine goals. I therefore tend to favor a Fener home win, which is rewarded with a top odds of 1.75 at Betano.
