Fenerbahce vs Krasnodar Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

A 4th minute goal from Swedish midfielder Viktor Claesson was the only goal of the game in the first leg of this tie back in Russia, and that 1-0 win for Krasnodar could very well decide this clash. All they need to do now is score an away goal and Fenerbahce would require three at the other end to turn the tie around.

This continues Fenerbahce’s difficult run of matches in recent weeks, and they have followed it with a rather drab goalless draw at home to Kasimpasa on Sunday, to make it one win, two draws, and two defeats in their last five outings in all competitions.

These poor results have caused them to slip behind in the Turkish Super Lig too, leaving them 4th in the table with a seven point gap between them and leaders Besiktas. This is a definite turning point in the season for Fenerbahce, and at the moment it looks to be turning in the wrong direction for them!

Krasnodar have had the weekend off football due to the ongoing Russian winter break, leaving them well rested for the second leg as they look to progress. They have won four of their last seven games, but only one of these was in competitive football. For that you have to look all the way back to the start of December, with a 2-1 defeat at Nice ending their group campaign and the first half of their season.

This was preceded by a rather poor run of form for them domestically and puts them 5th in the Russian Premier League, an almost unattainable 12 points adrift of leaders Spartak Moscow and outside of the European qualification spots.

Away from home they have failed to win any of their last six competitive matches, drawing three and losing three. Over the longer term they have won two, drawn six, and lost four of their last 12 away days. Another draw would do them just fine here, but it’s by no means a given that they will get that.

Fenerbahce will need to be cautious about their attacking play on Wednesday, as they can’t risk conceding an away goal. Krasnodar have failed to score in six of their last 11 away games though and the only time they have avoided defeat against a similar strength opposition to Fenerbahce was a draw with CSKA Moscow in September. Apart from that they have lost to Nice, Schalke, Spartak Moscow, and Terek Grozny.

Fenerbahce have won six of their last eight home games too, so backing a Fenerbahce Win at 3/4 looks a good choice, but I think the tie as a whole will go to extra time, so I’m backing a 1-0 correct score prediction too.