Krasnodar vs Fenerbahce Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Krasnodar managed to make their way through one of the closest and possibly most difficult Europa League groups this season back at the start of December, with their 2-1 defeat to Nice in the final group game leaving them ahead of Salzburg by the skin of their teeth and one point clear of Nice in 4th. They were some way off the almost perfect record of Schalke at the top of the group though.

Since then not much has been going on for Krasnodar, with the lengthy Russian winter break limiting them to club friendlies. They have won three, drawn two, and lost one of their friendlies since that last Europa League match, and their domestic season doesn’t resume until the very end of February.

On the one hand this does allow them to focus entirely on the Europa League, but they will also be out of match practise for this crucial tie. They are also down in 5th in the Russian Premier League, which indicates what a poor season they have had.

Fenerbahce’s domestic season isn’t going much better, with them lying 4th in the Turkish Super Lig, eight points adrift of leaders Besiktas after their 1-1 draw at Bursasport on Saturday. They are in very good form overall though, with nine wins, three draws, and just one defeat in their last 13 outings in all competitions.

Their Europa League campaign also went a lot better than Krasnodar’s. They won four of their six group games and managed to pip Manchester United to the top spot with a return of 13 points from their six games. Their only defeat in the groups came at Old Trafford, and since then they have won seven, drawn three, and lost two of their 12 away matches.

Krasnodar lost three of their final four group games and will also be without the injured Joazinho on Thursday. The Brazilian winger was their top scorer in the group stages and will be a sorely missed attacking asset for the hosts. Fenerbahce’s star man Moussa Sow is ready to play though, and he has bagged ten goals in his 18 appearances this season, with seven of those coming away from home. This makes him the best choice for our anytime goalscorer predictions.

The advantage clearly lies with Fenerbahce here. They have had an excellent European campaign so far this season and are facing a Krasnodar side who have struggled both domestically and continentally this term and are both without their star player and out of match practise. Odds of 1.975 for a Fenerbahce 0.0 Asian Handicap Win look good value for money, so I’m backing that alongside a 2-1 correct score predictions at 9/1.