Good evening European football fans. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for what promises to be a passionate Europe League last-eight tie between Fenerbahce and Lazio. Both teams enjoy a fanatical support, but which side will cope better with the red-hot atmosphere in Istanbul as the two sides collide in tonight's quarter-final first leg?

Lazio travel to Turkey as slight favourites to progress over the two legs, thanks largely to their superb Europa League form this season. Vladimir Petkovic's side are yet to taste defeat in Europe this season, and have breezed past Bundesliga giants Stuttgart and Borussia Monchengladbach in the last two rounds.

Fener are attempting to reach the last four of a major European competition for the first time in their history. Aykut Kocaman has assembled an experienced squad at the Sukru Saracoglu, that has done just enough to progress as each time of asking in the Europa League thus far.

The home side are definitely facing a step up in class this evening, but have a settled squad that looks ready to take on the challenge. Former Premier League regulars Raul Merieles and Dirk Kuty are a regular feature, with former Ligue 1 star Moussa Sow leading the line in attack.

Lazio's form on the continent may be impressive, but their Serie A campaign has stuttered in 2013 after a bright start. The Rome giants have won just two of their last six matches, including a last-gasp comeback victory against Catania last weekend.

The primary reason for Lazio's dip in form is the lengthy absence of Miroslav Klose. The veteran forward finally returned from a leg injury suffered in January against Catania, but will probably be just short of a start this evening.

Goals in the Europa League have not been a problem for the visitors, with Libor Kozak enjoying a prolific campaign. The Czech striker has failed to score in the Serie A this season, but is the top scorer in this competition with eight in as many matches.

Petkovic has built a robust outfit that on the surface seems perfect for knockout football. A resolute back three is often supported by two defensive midfielders, with Hernanes thriving in a new deeper role this season. Lazio have already qualified for the Coppa Italia final and are bidding to keep their quest for an unlikely cup double alive tonight!

Tonight marks the first ever meeting between these two sides, but Lazio do have a great record against Turkish opposition. In eight meetings against sides from Turkey the Rome side have lost just once, with three wins out of four away from home.

Fenerbahce are not a side known for their free-scoring, with Sow the only player in their squad to reach double figures in the Turkish top flight. Istanbul has become a haven for experienced European players to finish their careers and Kocaman's side is no different. Dirk Kuyt, Raul Meireles, Mehemt Topal and Milos Krasic carry a wealth of knowledge into tonight's clash and should help the home side steady any early nerves.

BREAKING TEAM NEWS! The starting XI's have just reached us from Turkey and Lazio have decided to resist the temptation to play Klose from the start. Kozak is back in the side ahead of Klose and Louis Saha. A full look at both teams will follow in just a few moments.

FENERBAHCE! Demirel, Gonul, Yobo, Korkmaz, Ziegler, Topal, Meireles, Kuyt, Cristian, Sow, Webo

LAZIO! Marchetti, Ciani, Cana, Radu, Gonzalez, Candreva, Onazi, Hernanes, Lulic, Ederson, Kozak

Experience is definitely the order of the day for Fener, with Kocaman resisting the temptation to include Miroslav Stoch despite his impressive recent form. Joseph Yobo will organise from central defence, with Topal and Meireles protecting the back four.

Cameroon partners Senegal in attack for the home side as Sow plays next to veteran forward Pierre Webo. The former Mallorca striker signed for Fener in January and scored the crucial winning goal against Viktoria Plzen in the last round.

Lazio include former Galatasaray star Lorik Cana in defence as the Albanian continues to play out of position. Ederson is a surprise starter just behind Kozak, with youngster Antonio Candreva keeping his place in central midfield.

Tonight's two managers seemed polar opposites in their pre-match press conferences. Kocaman was reserved and admitted his side are facing a considerable test, while Petkovic spoke in bullish terms about his side's chances of progressing over the two legs.

With a first semi-final within touching distance Kocaman was at pains to explain that Lazio would represent his side's biggest challenge in the tournament by some distance.

The Fener boss said: "We want to take a lead into the second leg. We will play a very hard game, a very big game. This is a two-legged situation, not a league game. We want to compete but will be conscious that this is the first leg, not the deciding match in the tie.

"We have had to play a number of very difficult and talented teams along the way, but Lazio are a step up from that. Klose is a very famous player. He will be one of the key men for Lazio, though the tie will be won by team work, not individuals. It will be breathless and will go to the last minute."

Petkovic on the other hand insisted that he will use all his experience to make sure a trip to Istanbul holds no surprises for his men.

The Lazio coach explained: "I've faced Fenerbahçe here twice before, once with Young Boys and the other time with Samsunspor. They are much improved since then. They are one of the biggest names left in the draw but we want to dominate the game."

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Expect former Galatasaray midfielder Cana to get a hostile reception tonight. The 29-year-old admitted in yesterday's pre-match press conference that his allegiance to Fener's fierce rivals will add extra spice to tonight's clash.

He said: "This is a special moment for me because I became a Galatasaray fan as well as a player, but as a professional you have to put all emotions aside and do your job."

What makes tonight's tie perhaps the hardest to call of all four Europa League ties is the importance placed on the competition by both teams. Europe's second club competition has been welcomed with open arms by Lazio and Fener, with full sides played at just about every opportunity. One of the two perennial under-achievers will be rewarded with a place in the final four after 180 mins of hard-fought knockout football.

Both sides have also largely dispelled the myth that it is impossible to juggle a long Europa run and stay competitive at home. Fener sit second in the Turkish league after a much-improved 2013, while Lazio are still very much in the race for a top-six finish in Serie A.

I think Lazio definitely deserve their favourites tag over the two legs thanks to an unbeaten European campaign that has caught everyone by surprise. Eight wins and four draws from 12 matches is a remarkable return, particularly considering how Petkovic's squad has been stretched by injuries since Christmas.

With tonight's tie predicted to be a tight affair by most observers, an all-important goal may come from the bench as tired legs take over in the second half. Lazio have Klose ready to make a scoring return, while Fener will turn to Semih Senturk, who is fondly remembered for an impressive tournament for Turkey at Euro 2008.

Here are the options available to both managers on the bench in full:

Fener: Gunok, Irtegun, Topuz, Ucan, Erkin, Senturk,
Lazio: Bizzarri, Biava, Crecco, Mauri, Ledesma, Klose, Rozzi

We are just under five minutes away from kickoff in Istanbul and there is quite an atmosphere building at the Sukru Saracoglu. Fener will need their fanatical support at fever pitch tonight as they look to get past the last eight of a major European competition for the first time.

PREDICTION: With tonight's action imminent I just have time to register a reasoned prediction. I expect goals to be at a premium tonight as both sides make a nervous start. Lazio have been tough to break down away from home in this competition and I expect tonight to be no different. I'll go for 1-1 as an optimistic estimate!

Both sides are out on the pitch and have been greeted by a wall of colour and noise from the home supporters. Scottish referee Willie Collum is just completing his pre-match routine and we are just about ready to start in Turkey!

The home side get this quarter-final tie underway as a fantastic atmosphere builds to a crescendo. A clash of heads has Topal heading for the deck just a minute in as the midfielder is beaten in the air by Hernanes.

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Fener are pressing high up the pitch as Kuyt and Cristian win back possession high up the pitch. Webo attempts to turn past two defenders but gifts the ball to Candreva, who drives down the right to win his side a corner kick.

CHANCE! Lazio waste the corner and are nearly undone on the counter by a lofted pass over the top from Cristian. The pacy Sow latched onto the ball with a strong first touch, but under pressure from three defenders could only fire wide from 20 yards.

Mereiles wins a free kick in the opposition half after being hacked down by Lulic. Cristian and Kuyt play short to Ziegler, but his attempt to cross into a packed penalty area is blocked by Hernanes. The Brazilian midfielder then goes down injured after an aerial collision with Korkmaz.

Marchetti takes his time with a goal kick and is greeted by a fierce chorus of whistles from the home end as a result. Both sides have struggled to maintain possession in a cagey opening as Meireles brings down Hernanes with a late lunge to give Lazio a chance to regroup.

SAVE! Ederson forced Demirel to make the first meaningful save of the night with a header from close range. The playmaker did well to meet a looping diagonal cross from Candreva, but his header lacked power and was caught quickly by the Fener goalkeeper.

Meireles is risking a booking already after bringing down Hernanes for the second time in as many minutes. The referee decides to just have a word at this stage but this has not been a clever start from the Portuguese midfielder, who has been plagued by disciplinary problems since moving to Turkey.

PENALTY APPEAL! Lazio have a strong penalty shout turned down after Ederson tumbled over in the box under a challenge from Gonul. Lulic had launched a clever break and passed inside towards the midfielder, but his fall in the area fails to win a spot kick for the visitors.

SCORE UPDATE! There have been two goals in the first 15 minutes in tonight's other quarter-finals, and both have been scored by English sides. Papiss Cisse and Fernando Torres have both found the net, to put Newcastle United and Chelsea ahead against Benfica and Rubin Kazan respectively.

OFF THE POST! Fener have come within inches of taking the lead thanks to an instinctive strike from Sow. The forward hammered towards goal after Lulic's scuffed clearance came off Gonul. His effort looked destined for the far corner but a wonderful save from Marchetti tipped the ball onto the post and back into play. That was a truly inspired stop from the experienced goalkeeper to keep the match level.

That save was a real wake-up call for the visitors, who race up the other end and see strikes from distance by Onazi and Ederson quickly shut down by well-timed blocks. Fener are growing in confidence and have just about shaded a tight start to the match.

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Sow and Webo share a lovely exchange out wide, but the latter's attempted pass inside to Kuyt is a poor one and allows Lazio to clear. The home side charge forward again as Webo's backheel comes within inches of finding Sow inside the penalty area. There is plenty to be positive about for Kocaman's side in the last five minutes.

Ederson is all alone in attack for Lazio but wins a corner after a clever turn beats two defenders. Yobo eventually regroups to block the Brazilian's strike from range wide for a corner kick. Lazio send numbers forward for the corner but a poor delivery is easily cleared by home side.

Fenerbahce are awarded a free kick 30 yards from goal after Ederson's persistent pressing of Gonul is deemed to be a foul. Cristian takes his time before sending a curling cross into the box, but his deep cross is punched clear by Marchetti. The keeper has stayed down after a heavy challenge from Korkmaz, who backed into Marchetti as he attempted to win the ball in a crowded penalty area.

Marchetti usde all his experience to buy the visitors some time there as Lazio's defence talk at length. Onazi and Meireles are the latest pair to stop the match with an injury delay after a fierce 50-50 tackle. When play resumes Lulic drives down the left and crosses, but his ball is headed clear of danger by Korkmaz.

YELLOW CARD! The referee has clearly had enough of the stop-start antics of both sides and books Onazi for bundling into the back of Cristian long after the ball has gone.

Cristian infuriates his teammates by electing to shoot from distance with Webo and Sow both looking for a pass forward. Lazio use the chance to break but once again Kozak is left with little service as Ederson's pass drifts harmlessly through to Demirel.

SCORE UPDATE! There are goals all over Europe to tell you about in tonight's other quarter-final first legs. Spurs are 2-0 down at home to FC Basel after conceding twice in four minutes. Elsewhere Chelsea lead Rubin Kazan by the same scoreline, while Benfica are level at 1-1 with Newcastle United!

Back in Turkey a clever overlap form Radu has Lazio back in the final third, but despite a burst towards the far post Hernanes can only turn a diving effort well wide of the near post. That is the first time the visitors have been patient enough to build from the back and create a strike at goal.

A last-ditch challenge from Korkmaz has just stopped Lazio from tapping home the opener. Ederson had space out wide and Kozak unmarked in the box, but his heavy touch allowed the Fener full-back to launch a desperate diving clearance and keep the visitors at bay. Lazio keep the pressure on as Ederson turns over from close range with a header soon after. The home side are holding on now as we head towards the interval.

Candreva leads another Lazio break down the right, beating two players before passing inside to Ederson. The Brazilian has time to pick his spot from 20 yards but scuffs his strike badly as the ball limps well wide of the far corner.

Lazio have settled into a steady of pattern of possession before the break as Radu looks to bomb on down the left. Eventually the persistence of Kuty pays off as the Dutch midfielder robs Kozak before being brought down on the halfway line. He takes quickly to find Gonul, who aims a cross towards Sow which is cleared by a late interception from Gonzalez.

YELLOW CARD! Korkmaz is booked for smashing into the back of Candreva as the first 45 minutes draws to a close. Lazio are still pressing the action and will happy with their efficient display thus far.

The referee brings an end to a hard-fought first half, with both sides unable to keep possession with any authority as nerves crept in across the pitch. Fener have had the best chance of the match against the run of play, with Sow denied by a spectacular save at the far post from Marchetti.

Lazio looked more comfortable in possession in the opening period but have failed to carve out a credible chance to score that vital away goal. Kozak has looked isolated, while Ederson has been largely wasteful in the final third. Candreva and Lulic look lively down the flanks and carry the biggest threat for Petkovic's well-drilled side.

One are which will disappoint the Lazio fans at the break is their lack of quality from set pieces. The visitors have had four corners tonight but despite having Hernanes and Radu on the pitch are yet to truly test Demirel.

SCORE UPDATE! There have been goals galore in tonight's other Europa League ties, which all involved English clubs. Spurs trail 1-2 at home to Basel, while Chelsea lead at home to Rubin Kazan by the same scoreline after the Russians converted a late penalty. Newcastle are level at 1-1 against Benfica thanks to a crucial away goal from Cisse.

Both sides have experienced forwards on the bench if they are desperate to change the course of tight first leg. Lazio could opt to introduce Klose as the German continues his comeback from a leg injury. Fener have veteran forward Senturk among their substitutes, but Sow and Webo have looked lively when given service so far tonight.

You can see from the first 45 minutes why Lazio have such a proud record in this season's Europa League. Petkovic has kept his side compact, with Fener able to breach a disciplined defence on just one occasion before the break. Will the home side rue not making the most of that Sow chance over the two legs? You feel that Kocaman must send his team out to score in the second half if they are to reach their first semi-final in continental competition.

Both managers have decided not to make changes for the second half as Lazio get the match back underway. The visitors quickly smash forward in search of Kozak, but the striker fouls Korkmaz in the air and Fener are awarded a free kick as a result.

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RED CARD! Onazi has been shown a second yellow card for hacking over Cristian and Lazio are down to 10 men. The midfielder flew in with his studs up on a caution and have little complaint at the decision. What a chance now for Fener to take advantage and build a lead ahead of next week's second leg in Rome.

OFF THE POST! Within a minute Fenerbahce have been denied by the woodwork for a second time. Meireles launched a strike from 20 yards, which bounced and had Marchetti beat, only to come off the far post and bounce back into play. How unlucky for the home side as pressure mounts on Lazio's unbeaten record in Europe this season.

YELLOW CARD! Ederson has just received a booking after gesturing towards the ref for a yellow card to be awarded the other way. Strong refereeing from the Scottish official, who has no hesitation in dishing out his fourth caution of the night.

CHANCE! Sow has somehow turned wide from four yards as frustration grows for Fener. After meeting Cristian's cross at the near post the striker simply had to score, but under pressure from his marker for forward turns wide. How many chances will the home side spurn this evening?

YELLOW CARD! Marchetti becomes the latest player booked for dissent following an angry exchange with the referee. Lazio are already a man down and Petkovic needs to implore his side to keep cool heads and protect a clean sheet at all costs.

SAVE! Meireles continues his duel with Marchetti as he aims for the far corner from distance. His effort has plenty of power but is well ready by the Lazio keeper, who tips it round the post for a corner. Lazio are really hanging on as Fener try and maximise their numerical advantage.

SHOT! A rare Lazio attack has just seen Candreva come within inches of giving the visitors a shock lead. The midfielder took two touches before cutting inside and launching a powerful drive towards goal. Demirel was desperately heading towards the far post, but fortunately for Fener the ball goes just beyond the corner and we are still goalless.

SUBSTITUTION: Lazio have decided to make a change as Ederson struggles to the touchline. The Brazilian is replaced by Ledesma, who will provide a more defensive option in midfield to protect the back four.

Cristian is once again wasteful in the final third as he chooses to shoot rather than play Sow in-behind. His wayward strike is smashed clear by Cana. In those situations the home side badly need to pick out a precise pass to unlock a stubborn Lazio defence.

Sow has just felt his hamstring on a forward charge but after stopping in his tracks appears alright to continue. Lazio have dropped even deeper and now sit in two banks of four in their own half. Petkovic will know the importance of keeping a clean sheet, don't expect the visitors to chase an away goal. Kuyt becomes the latest Fener player to misplace a cross in the final third as his ball towards the far post proves too strong for Webo on the stretch.

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SCORE UPDATE! There have been more goals in tonight's other Europa League quarter-finals. Spurs are level at 2-2 with Basel, while Chelsea and Benfica both hold 3-1 leads in their first legs, at home to Rubin Kazan and Newcastle United respectively.

SUBSTITUTION: Kocaman has decided to make his first change of the night to bring on fresh legs in midfield. Topal comes off for Erkin, who will have more scope to drive forward in the closing stages.

SUBSTITUTION: Petkovic has quickly responded in kind with an interesting change in attack. The tiring and isolated Kozak has been replaced by Klose, who will provide something for Lazio to hit on the counter with a direct style in the last 20 minutes.

Lazio show composure to clear quickly through Hernanes and Candreva as they run down the clock by keeping possession. Radu has Klose available in the penalty area but goes for glory and sends a strike well over the bar from 30 yards. Just signs in the last five minutes that Fener are running out of ideas slightly in the final third.

SUBSTITUTION: Fener make their second change and yet again Kocaman tries to inject fresh impetus in midfield. Cristian is withdrawn for 19-year-old playmaker Ucan, who immediately takes up an advanced position.

PENALTY TO FENERBAHCE! The referee has awarded the home side a penalty after Radu appeared to handle in the area. The skipper is booked for his protests but that will change little and Fener now have a glorious chance to take the lead.

After taking his time Webo takes three strides and sends Marchetti the wrong way with a powerful penalty into the bottom corner. Fenerbahce have finally made their man advantage count to break the deadlock. Is Lazio's unbeaten Europa League record finally about to end tonight after nine matches?

YELLOW CARD! Webo was booked for his wild celebrations after scoring that penalty, which led to a delay in the match restarting. Erkin quickly has the home side back on the attack, but his deflected cross is caught at the second time of asking by Marchetti.

SHOT! Kuyt drives into the final third and will little support decides to shoot from range. His strike dips wide of the far post as Marchetti takes his time to retrieve the ball.

SUBSTITUTIONS! Both sides use the break in play to make their final changes of the night. Lazio bring off Hernanes for veteran midfielder Mauri, while Fener swap Sow for Topuz in attack. Fener are straight back on the attack when play resumes and win a corner as Klose heads clear in the penalty area.

SAVE! Fenerbahce are chasing a second goal desperately as we enter stoppage time, but Marchetti has just about kept the home side at bay. Ziegler was the latest player to strike from outside the box and had his effort tipped wide and eventually cleared into touch by Ciani.

Deep into stoppage time Fener have scored a second goal that may prove crucial in the context of the tie. Mauri conceded a free kick just a minute after coming on and his mistake has been costly. Erkin drove the free kick towards goal and forced Marchetti to parry into the path of Kuyt, who volleyed in from close range. What a huge moment for the Turkish giants.

YELLOW CARD! In the final minute of added time Meireles has been cautioned for a high boot on Ledesma. Lazio use the chance to break through Candreva, who drives down the wing before seeing his cutback cleared into touch by Korkmaz.

A huge effort in the last 10 minutes has put Fenerbahce in control of the tie. Late goals from Webo and Kuyt mean that Kocaman's side are just 90 minutes away from their first ever Europa League semi-final.

That just about does it for Sports Mole's coverage of a bruising clash from Istanbul. Thanks for joining us and be sure to check in for complete coverage of football from across the continent. Goodnight.