Lugano vs Fenerbahce Prediction 23.07.2024 | Champions League

• Competition: UEFA Champions League Qualifying
• Date: Tuesday, 23rd, July 2024
• Kickoff: 19:30 UK / 20.30 CEST
• Venue: Stockhorn Arena (Thun)

On Tuesday, Fenerbahce kicks off their competitive season by heading to Cornaredo Stadium to take on Lugano in the first leg of the Champions League second qualifying round.

Lugano may not have had enough firepower to compete with Young Boys for the domestic title last season, but despite enduring a dreadful finish - which also included a penalty shootout loss to Servette in the Swiss Cup final - they managed to book Champions League qualification thanks to their runner-up finish. After a very respectable warm-up period, the Black and White kicked off the new 2024-25 season in winning fashion, but they needed an injury-time strike from Uran Bislimi to overcome the faltering giant Grasshoppers 2-1 in their den.

The Swiss outfit begins their European campaign against Fenerbahce, a team that was involved in a dramatic title race with Galatasaray last season, ultimately falling short despite registering 31 wins and putting an incredible 99 points to their name, finishing as vice-champions just three points behind their bitter rivals. Ahead of the start of the new 2024-25 campaign, the Bosphorus giants have made a big deal by bringing in European tournament expert Jose Mourinho, a man who can boast having won all three of UEFA's major competitions throughout his managerial career.

Lugano vs Fenerbahce Betting Tips: BTTS

Fener are clear favorites to progress to the next-to-last qualifying round of the Champions League, so they should take a first-leg lead in what promises to be a wild and goal-rich affair. Counting competitive and non-competitive, Lugano have registered only one shutout in their last 10 matches, revealing that their defensive line is lacking in solidity. The Bianconeri's defense will be under rigorous scrutiny as they face a Fenerbahce side that boasts a ruthless attacking unit, as they have clearly demonstrated in their last two warm-up matches by first demolishing Strasbourg 4-0 and then producing a five-star display in 5-1 demolition of Hull City. 

Their attacking prowess is clearly demonstrated by the fact that they fell just one goal short of hitting the three-figure mark last season, having scored 99 goals in 38 top-flight matches. However, the Bosphorus giants are not known for their defensive reliability, so the Swiss rival should consider their chances of making an impact, although they might ultimately find themselves on the wrong end of the scoreline against the offensively potent Fener. Overall, we think there is a good chance that both sides will find a way to score here.