Liverpool arrive with three straight Champions League wins, while Fenerbahce are struggling for form. Our preview weighs the matchup and predicts a 3-1 away win.
Liverpool’s European form gives them the edge in Istanbul
Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal is a setback, but it doesn’t erase the stronger signal in this matchup: the Reds have won all three of their Champions League league phase games. Fenerbahce, meanwhile, have taken two points from three European matches and are winless in their last three games across all competitions. That gap makes Liverpool the likelier winner, even with a difficult away trip ahead.
The teams come into Wednesday’s fixture after domestic losses. Liverpool fell at home to Arsenal last weekend, while Fenerbahce lost 2-1 at home to Goztepe. Both defeats add pressure, but the broader form points in different directions: Liverpool have won five of their last six matches in all competitions, and Fenerbahce have lost twice in their last three.
For more match forecasts, see today's betting tips page.
The numbers show a clear European gap
The league phase table underlines Liverpool’s advantage. They sit third with nine points and a 12-7 goal record. Fenerbahce are 31st, with two points, three goals scored and nine conceded. Neither side has kept a clean sheet in the competition, which leaves room for Fenerbahce to score even if Liverpool control the match.
Home and away performance adds another wrinkle. Fenerbahce are ranked 27th among home sides, while Liverpool are second among away teams. Liverpool have also scored four times as many league phase goals as their opponents. The figures suggest the visitors have created more and defended better, though seven goals conceded in three European games show that their back line hasn’t been impenetrable.
| Fenerbahce | vs | Liverpool |
|---|---|---|
| 31st | Position | 3rd |
| 2 | Points | 9 |
| 3 | Goals For | 12 |
| 9 | Goals Against | 7 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 27th (H) | Home / Away Rank | 2nd (A) |
A new interim coach faces a demanding first test
Dirk Kuyt is in interim charge of Fenerbahce after Ismail Kartal resigned. Kuyt’s first match ended in defeat to Goztepe, and Liverpool offer a markedly tougher challenge. Fenerbahce are also expected to be without Marco Asensio and Nathan Ake, leaving the hosts with less depth for a fixture in which they may need to absorb long spells of pressure.
Liverpool reportedly have no fresh injury concerns. Their loss to Arsenal was frustrating, particularly as they failed to register a shot on target according to some sources, but the run before that defeat included five consecutive wins in all competitions. The performance against Arsenal may invite questions about their attacking sharpness; the previous results still point to a side capable of responding quickly.
Liverpool are six-time European champions and have started this league phase with three wins from three. That record doesn’t guarantee another win in Istanbul, but it gives the visitors a more reliable base than Fenerbahce’s recent results. The hosts’ home support could make the match uncomfortable, and their scoring record suggests they can threaten. Still, their defensive numbers leave little margin for error against an attack that has already scored 12 times in Europe.
Goals look more plausible than a clean sheet
Both teams have conceded in each of their three Champions League matches, making a goal at either end a reasonable possibility. Both Teams to Score – Yes is priced at 7/12 (1.58). Over 3.5 goals is available at 6/5 (2.20), and that mark has been reached in two of each team’s three league phase games. Those trends support an open contest, though neither guarantees a repeat.
Alexander Isak is another player to watch. He came close to scoring against Arsenal before Jurrien Timber pulled him back, and an anytime goal for Isak is priced at 23/20 (2.15). Liverpool are 4/7 (1.57) favourites, while a 3-1 away win is offered at 10/1 (11.00). Readers comparing prices can consult the best UK football betting sites.
The prediction is Fenerbahce 1-3 Liverpool. The visitors’ European consistency and stronger recent run make them the sensible pick, while the teams’ clean-sheet records point toward goals at both ends. Liverpool’s away ranking strengthens the case, but their seven goals conceded in the league phase offer Fenerbahce a route into the game.
Fenerbahce vs. Liverpool — Whispers' Tips> BTTS – Yes at 1.58 | Likelihood: High
> Isak to score anytime at 2.15 | Likelihood: Medium
> Over 3.5 goals at 2.20 | Likelihood: Medium
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