Europa League | League Stage

Dec 11, 2024 at 3.30pm UK

Ulker Stadyumu Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu Spor Kompleksi

Fenerbahcevs.Athletic Bilbao

Match preview

Fenerbahce have had a bit of a mixed start to the season, winning two, drawing two and losing one of their opening five matches.

Jose Mourinho's side got off to a good start with a 2-1 home win over Union SG, but then had a run of three European games where they didn't win any of them. They drew against Twente and Manchester United, and then lost 3-1 to AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands.

After picking up two points from three games, Fenerbahce were happy to get back to winning ways on matchday five. Edin Dzeko and Youssef En-Nesyri both scored in a 2-1 victory over Slavia Prague, which moved the Turkish side three points clear of 25th place.

Fenerbahce will be looking to get more positive results in their final three league games against Athletic, Lyon and Midtjylland. They're aiming to reach the knockout stages of a UEFA competition for the third season in a row.

It was a disappointing end to the weekend for Mourinho and his team, who lost 1-0 to Besiktas in Sunday's derby. That result leaves them six points behind leaders Galatasaray in the Turkish Super Lig title race.

After losing on the road at the weekend, the Yellow Canaries will be looking forward to returning to the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, where they have won four of their last five home games in all competitions.

Athletic will be playing in European competition for the first time since 2017-18, having finished fifth in La Liga last season.

Los Leones have never won a European trophy, but they will be hoping to change that in 2024-25, with the Europa League final set to be played at their atmospheric home of San Mames in May 2025.

Ernesto Valverde's side have made an impressive start to their quest for a home final, dropping just two points in their opening five Europa League games.

After a 1-1 draw with Roma, Los Leones defeated AZ Alkmaar, Slavia Prague and Ludogorets before a 3-0 win over Elfsborg thanks to goals from Adama Boiro, Benat Prados and Gorka Guruzeta.

The victories leave Athletic in second place, three points clear of ninth, and in a strong position to progress to the knockout stages ahead of their final three league games against Fenerbahce, Besiktas and Viktoria Pilsen.

The Basque side will be aware of the difficult task that awaits them on Wednesday, but they will travel to Turkey in confident mood after beating Real Madrid and Villarreal last week to make it five wins in a row in an 11-match unbeaten run in all competitions (W8, D3).

Recent Performance

Fenerbahce Europa League form:WDDLW

Fenerbahce form (all competitions):WWWWWL

Athletic Bilbao Europa League form:DWWWW

Athletic Bilbao form (all competitions):DWWWWW

Team News

Fenerbahce will be without the injured duo of Mert Hakan Yandas and Jayden Oosterwolde, while Fred will serve a one-match ban for accumulating yellow cards.

Ismail Yuksek is in line to replace Fred in midfield, while Bright Osayi-Samuel, Sebastian Szymanski and En-Nesyri could all get starts.

Caglar Soyuncu could be back in contention after missing four games with an injury, and there is a chance that he could feature in Wednesday's game.

Meanwhile, Ander Herrera is Athletic's only known absentee, with the midfielder set to miss a third consecutive game with a hamstring problem.

Unai Simon made his long-awaited return from injury in Athletic's last European game against Elfsborg, and after being dropped to the bench for the last three league games, the Euro 2024 winner should be back in the side for Wednesday's away trip.

Nico Williams is set to return to the side after coming off the bench in Sunday's 2-0 win over Villarreal, while Andoni Gorosabel, Mikel Jauregizar and Boiro could also be in contention.

Possible starting lineup

Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:

Livakovic; Osay-Samuel, Djiku, Soyuncu, Muldur; Yuksek, Amrabat; Tadic, Szymanski, Saint-Maximin; En-Nesyri

Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:

Simon; Gorosabel, Vivian, Yeray, Boiro; Jauregizar, Ruiz de Galarreta; I.Williams, Sancet, N.Williams; Guruzeta