Match Overview

The second-round fixture of the 2025/26 group stage between Fenerbahçe (Turkey) and Nice (France) is scheduled for October 2nd at the Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium in Istanbul. This comprehensive preview offers insights, statistics, and a betting forecast for the Fenerbahçe – Nice encounter.

Fenerbahçe Team Analysis

Initial Performance

Fenerbahçe’s debut in the season proved challenging, as they suffered an away defeat to Dinamo Zagreb. This loss saw them concede at least two goals, a pattern observed in three of their last four tournament matches. Despite this, the Turkish side has maintained a remarkable scoring streak in the , finding the net in their last six games. Historically, Fenerbahçe rarely faces defeat in this European competition, having been vanquished only twice in their last seven outings. However, their victories in these seven matches are also limited to just two.

Key Statistics for Fenerbahçe

• Fenerbahçe has remained unbeaten in 12 of their last 14 home matches (7 wins, 5 draws).
• The club has conceded goals in 10 of their previous 13 tournament games.
• The team has scored at least one goal in 12 of their last 14 home fixtures.

Fenerbahçe’s Provisional Starting XI (3-4-3)*

Ederson – Çağlar Söyüncü, Milan Škriniar, Jayden Oosterwolde – Nene Dorgeles, Nélson Semedo, Marco Asensio, Archie Brown – Sebastian Szymański, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Youssef En-Nesyri.

Team News for Fenerbahçe

Midfielder Talisca has served his suspension. However, another midfielder, Edson Álvarez, remains unavailable due to injury, as does forward Jhon Durán.

Nice Team Analysis

Nice’s Start

Nice also commenced their campaign with a defeat. However, unlike Fenerbahçe, such an outcome is becoming a more common occurrence for the French club. Following their encounter with Roma, Nice has now lost six of their last eight matches in this European competition. Their winless streak in the has now extended to 13 matches, comprising three draws and ten losses. Throughout this prolonged period, the team has not managed to keep a single clean sheet.

Key Statistics for Nice

• Nice has scored in 5 of their last 6 matches.
• The club secured a win with a (+1.5) handicap in 6 of their last 7 tournament games.
• Both teams found the net in 5 of Nice’s last 6 encounters.

Nice’s Provisional Starting XI (3-5-2)*

Yvann Diouf – Antoine Mendy, Džuma Ba, Dante – Tom Louche, Hicham Boudaoui, Charles Vanhoutte, Morgan Sanson, Melvin Bard – Jérémy Boga, Kévin Omoruyi.

Team News for Nice

Defenders Mohamed Abdelmonem and Youssouf Ndayishimiye, along with midfielder Tanguy Ndombele, are currently sidelined with injuries. The participation of veteran defender Dante and midfielder Hicham Boudaoui in the upcoming match remains uncertain.

Match Officials

Referee Profile

Srđan Jovanović (Serbia)

• Matches officiated: 7 (International matches, 2023/24-2025/26)
• Yellow cards shown (including second yellow): 26
• Average yellow cards per match: 3.7
• Red cards shown: 0
• Average fouls per match: 18
• Penalties awarded: 29%

Match Prediction: Fenerbahçe vs Nice

Team Form Overview

Both teams have had a less-than-ideal start to their campaigns. However, for Fenerbahçe, losses in this tournament are a relatively rare occurrence. The Turkish club has avoided defeat in five of their last seven matches (2 wins, 3 draws). It is also worth highlighting their consistent scoring, with at least two goals netted in five of these seven encounters. With fervent home support, Fenerbahçe becomes even more resolute: as evidence, they have suffered only two losses in their last 14 home fixtures (7 wins, 5 draws). Furthermore, at least two goals were scored in 12 of these 14 home games.

Nice’s Struggles in

Nice, conversely, has been plagued by struggles in the , a recurring issue over several years. The French club is currently on a dismal 13-match winless streak in this European competition, managing to avoid defeat in only three of those 13 games. It is particularly noteworthy that throughout this extensive winless run, Nice has frequently failed to keep a clean sheet against their opponents. Consequently, at least two goals were scored in 10 of Nice’s last 13 matches.

Final Betting Forecast

I anticipate that Fenerbahçe will secure at least one point in this match, with both teams contributing to a combined total of at least two goals. My final prediction is “1X (Fenerbahçe to win or draw) and Total Goals Over 1.5” with odds of 1.58.

Author’s Note

Author: Nikita Kudryavtsev

Disclaimer

* The starting lineup indicated for each team is based on their previous match in this tournament.