Sevilla and Fenerbahce resume their respective Europa League campaigns on Thursday evening when they square off in the first leg of their last-16 tie.

At a time when Sevilla are down in 17th position in La Liga, Fenerbahce are second in the Super Lig, six points adrift of top spot.

Match preview

When Sevilla posted a 3-0 victory over PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their playoff tie, Jorge Sampaoli must have felt that his side had turned the corner.

However, that dominant win has been followed by a draw - a respectable one away at Rayo Vallecano - and three defeats, two of them coming in La Liga.

Los Nervionenses have gone from suggesting that they were about to challenge for a spot in the top half of the table to now sitting outside of the relegation zone on goal difference.

That particularly statistic took a battering at Atletico Madrid at the weekend, Sevilla going down by a 6-1 scoreline at Wanda Metropolitano having initially been in the game at half time.

As many as 11 goals have now been conceded in three matches, a return which will only encourage Fenerbahce as they bid to pull off what would be regarded as a shock win.

Due to the devastating earthquakes which hit Turkey last month, Fenerbahce have had to contend with an unforeseen break from action, but top-flight action was recently given the green light to resume.

Victories have been posted over Konyaspor and Kayserispor to ensure that Jorge Jesus's team remain within six points of a relentless Galatasaray side.

With no domestic match scheduled for the weekend, Fenerbahce are in a position where they can focus fully on this contest and build on winning their group earlier in the season.

Sari Kanaryalar came through the round-robin stage unbeaten, collecting 14 points from six games against Rennes, AEK Larnaca and Dynamo Kiev.

Team News

With Fernando available after serving a domestic suspension at the weekend, Sevilla should revert back to a defensive three for this contest.

Further alterations are expected with Jesus Navas in line to feature at right wing-back, and at least one of Bryan Gil and Oliver Torres returning in the final third.

Nemanja Gudelj and Erik Lamela have both completed one-match bans for three yellow cards in Europe this campaign.

Michy Batshuayi has returned to training after a month-long absence and the forward could feature on the substitutes' bench.

Barring any fitness issues, Jesus could select the same side from the weekend, although Miha Zajc is an option ahead of Miguel Crespo.

Sevilla possible starting lineup:
Bounou; Nianzou, Fernando, Gudelj; Navas, Jordan, Rakitic, Acuna; Gil, Torres; En-Nesyri

Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:
Bayindir; Kadioglu, Akaydin, Szalai, Lincoln; Guler, Arao, Rossi; Crespo; Valencia, King

We say: Sevilla 3-1 Fenerbahce

While Sevilla's domestic form should be considered ahead of this contest, they tend to be a different animal on the continental scene, especially in this competition. Although they may struggle to keep out Fenerbahce for the 90 minutes, we still expect victory for the home side.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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