Prediction: Lille vs Fenerbahce

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: Luckster

Two sides who will be looking to pick up a first-leg advantage on Tuesday night, Lille and Fenerbahce will meet at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Lille

Starting with the hosts, storming their way to a much-welcomed top-four return last season, Lille will take plenty of positives away from an impressive domestic flurry. Getting a new adventure underway this summer as they pointed former Rennes boss Bruno Genesio, the Mastiffs also gained a reputation for their extended success at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy. In fact, the French outfit remarkably suffered just a single Ligue 1 defeat in front of their own supporters from any of their final 14 consecutive appearances – a purple patch that stemmed all the way back to September 26. Signing off their pre-season preparations with an eye-catching 3-1 victory against Celta Vigo, Lille will be looking to claim a first-leg advantage on Tuesday night.

Team News

Both completing respective summer moves to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy, the duo of Osame Sahraoui and former Villarreal defender Aissa Mandi should make their competitive debuts on Tuesday night. Really enjoying what was a standout Ligue 1 campaign last season, one-time Manchester United starlet will feature in the middle of the park.

Heavily linked with a potential Premier League move this summer after notching 19 Ligue 1 strikes last season, attacking talisman Jonathan David will spearhead Lille’s charge.

Fenerbahce

As for the visitors, suffering real heartbreak last season as they relinquished their domestic crown, Fenerbahce are certainly getting a new era underway this summer. Officially welcoming Jose Mourinho to Istanbul at the start of June, the Yellow Canaries have enjoyed a bright start to life under the former Manchester United boss. Extending on their Champions League qualifying adventure last week as they secured an action-packed 6-4 aggregate win against Swiss outfit Lugano, the Turkish giants have continued to shine with their performances in the final third. Signing off their summer preparations with a routine 5-1 romp against Championship side Hull, Fenerbahce have now bagged 15 goals in just their previous four appearances across all competitions.

Team News

Yet to make his Fenerbahce debut after arriving from Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ahil this summer, ex-Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin remains a doubt here. Former Manchester United ace Fred will once again partner Sebastian Szymanski at the heart of Mourinho’s midfield.

Notching four goals in his back-to-back Champions League qualifying matchups against Lugano last month and in the midst of what has become a sensational summer flurry, former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko will play a leading role in the final third on Tuesday night.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Lille and Fenerbahce last met at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy back in February 2010, the Mastiffs picked up a 2-1 victory while in Europa League action.
• Fenerbahce extended on their Champions League qualifying adventure thanks to a 6-4 aggregate victory against Lugano.
• Lille lost just one of their final 14 Ligue 1 home fixtures last season.
• Seven of Lille’s previous eight competitive showdowns at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy have finished with both teams finding the net.
• Continuing on from their pre-season preparations, Fenerbahce have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their previous seven appearances.

Conclusion

Watching Fenerbahce extend on their Champions League qualifying adventure last week thanks to an action-packed 6-4 victory against Lugano, neutrals will be hoping for another enjoyable affair here. With Lille gaining a reputation for their lively outcomes at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy last season, chances could come thick and fast. It should be noted, with the Mastiffs seeing seven of their previous eight competitive home fixtures finish with both teams finding the net, we are expecting a similar outcome on Tuesday night.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 5/6

Bookmaker: Luckster