Lille vs Fenerbahce - Analysis and Insights

The battle to reach the Champions League proper heats up on Tuesday, as the first legs of the third, and for some teams, potentially final qualification round kick off. Two fixtures standout, the first of which sees Scottish giants Rangers take on the Ukrainian side Dynamo Kyiv.

The second is undoubtedly the most competitive fixture drawn in the qualification round, as 2020/21 French Champions Lille clash with last year's Super Lig runner up Fenerbahce.

LOSC Lille 24-25 Home Kit

Encomenda já a tua! 📦 pic.twitter.com/IRhdmekVJ0

— Goal Score Store (@Goal_ScoreStore) June 19, 2024

As a fascinating and hard fought contest edges closer, we investigate the potential tactics, protagonists and controversies that could see the game take on another dimension of importance.

How did Fenerbahce and Lille do in the previous round?

Lille are yet to play a competitive game this season, as in finishing fourth in Ligue 1 last season, they ensured that the earliest they could enter the Champions League qualification rounds was in the third iteration.

For Fenerbahce however, the season has already well and truly started. They were introduced into the qualifying stage in the second round, where they faced Swiss side Lugano, runners up to Young boys last season.

Fenerbahce’s top scorer last season, former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko scored a hat trick in the away leg in a 4-3 win, and also equalized in the second, before Sebastian Szymanski scored an added time winner to ensure an eventually comfortable 6-4 aggregate victory.

©️ Oh captain, our captain🫶

Edin Džeko 😎 pic.twitter.com/gCv8VRQCEE

— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) October 22, 2023

The only reference point for Lille so far this season is given from their friendly results. They were victorious against Belgian sides Deinze and Gent, while also drawing the Genk, before tasting defeat for the first time against Germans Wolfsberg. In their most recent game, a 3-1 win against Celta Vigo saw a return to form.

Lille vs Fenerbahce Historical Head to Head

Prior to this two legged qualifying fixture, Lille and Fenerbahce have only ever played each other twice before, in the round of 32 of the Europa League back in 2009/10.

Previous results:

• 18/02/2010: Lille 2-1 Fenerbahce.
• 25/02/2010: Fenerbahce 1-1 Lille.

Lille and Fenerbahce Top Scorers

Edin Dzeko already leads the Turkish clubs scoring charts with four goals in tow games, and was also their top scorer last season with 21 goals in all competitions. Former Chelsea striker finished behind Dzeko with 12 goals last campaign, tied with Turkish midfielder Irfan Can Kahveci.

Meanwhile, Lille have not played any competitive football, and so have no current top scorer.

Last season, Canadian forward Jonathan David, who has been linked with a big move away from the club this summer, topped the club leaderboard with 19, with Kosovo midfielder Edon Zhegrova coming second with 6.

A big reason Jonathan David didn't move last summer was because of Lille's high price tag. The rumoured €25-30m evaluation is attracting a lot of Premier League clubs which makes sense as they all have money. Spurs join the race for David and that could be a great fit 🇨🇦 https://t.co/EfezdWzg0Y

— Josh Deming (@tv_jjd) June 23, 2024

Lille vs Fenerbahce Team News

So early in the season, both sides benefit from an almost entirely fit squad. However, Fenerbahce did lose former Manchester United midfielder Fred half an hour into the second leg of their previous qualification match against Lugano, with the severity of the injury currently unknown.

Munir Levent Mercan also went off injured in Fenerbahce’s pre-season friendly with Hajduk Split in early July, although he will likely be available again for their fixtures against the French side.

For Lille, the constant rotation of players in pre-season friendlies has meant that they have full availability for their upcoming battle against the Turkish giants, and they are likely to name a strong starting lineup for their first competitive fixture of the 2024/25 season.

Lille vs Fenerbahce Predicted lineups

Lille (4-5-1):

Chevalier (GK), Meunier, Diakhite, Riberio, Gudmundsson, Santos, Gomes, Cabella, Andre, Haraldsson, David.

Fenerbahce (4-3-3):

Livakovic (GK), Osayi-Samuel, Soyuncu, Djiku, Ooserwolde, Szymanski, Krunic, Can Kahveci, Tadic, Dzeko, Ferdi Kadioglu.

Lille vs Fenerbahce Player to Watch

After impressing in Turkey’s dramatic Euro 2024 campaign, Ferdi Kadioglu has become a sought after name, as both Manchester United and Brighton have been rumored to be pursuing him.

🚨🗣 Brighton are in negotiations with Fenerbache over Ferdi Kadıoğlu.

↪️ After having an impressive Euro 2024 tournament the 24 year old left back is looking for a move away from Turkey.

💰 If Fenerbache were to sell him they want at least €30m. pic.twitter.com/3VyjN1AbQd

— Patrick Gaughran (@PatrickGaugh) August 2, 2024

A player who can pick up any position along the left flank, he was utilized as a left wing back for Turkey at the Euros, which is considered his strongest position. However, he is composed on the ball and an accomplished finisher, and was played as a left winger in Fenerbahce’s second leg against Lugano.

Possessing a rapid turn of pace, and known for his breathless high pressing, Kadioglu has the ability to cause all sorts of problems for Lille, both on the ball and off it. Lille on paper have the stronger team, but Fenerbahce have some outstanding players of their own, and it promises to be an intriguing contest.

Where can I watch Lille vs Fenerbahce?

There will be no TV coverage in the UK, but online text commentary will be available on the BBC Sport and Sky Sports apps/websites.