Preview: Fenerbahce vs. Eintracht Frankfurt - prediction, team news, lineups

Eintracht Frankfurt head into Thursday's encounter at Fenerbahce requiring a draw to guarantee their place in the Europa League last 16.

Meanwhile, having already ensured that they will play Europa League Conference football next year, Fenerbahce have little to play for in their closing Group D fixture.

Match preview

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For all of their struggles in the Bundesliga, Frankfurt have made a much stronger impression on the continent, coming through their opening five Europa League fixtures without suffering a defeat.

Even though they only collected a 2-2 draw against Antwerp last time out, Oliver Glasner and his squad will have total confidence of earning the result that they need on Thursday.

Frankfurt have twice needed last-gasp goals to pick up extra points, the difference between qualification and still being under threat of dropping into the Europa Conference League.

They continued that trait in the 2-1 victory over Union Berlin in the Bundesliga, but their recent encouraging streak came to an end last weekend as they lost a five-goal thriller at Hoffenheim.

Although he has been starved of starting opportunities this season, Goncalo Paciencia has four goals in his last seven outings in all competitions.

Fenerbahce would have had high hopes of finishing in the top two of this group, especially with experienced Portuguese Vitor Pereira at the helm.

However, conceding a late goal at Olympiacos has cost the Turkish giants, who must now make do with a spot in the Europa Conference League after Christmas.

Pereira's side can have no complaints after winning just once in five fixtures, and their European efforts have mirrored their performance in Super Lig.

Despite a four-match unbeaten streak in the league, the Yellow Canaries are 12 points adrift of leaders Trabzonspor, leaving them to focus on trying to move into second spot before targeting the unbeaten pacesetters.

Serdar Dursun has starred in his last two appearances, especially against Rizespor on Sunday as he netted a hat-trick after being introduced as a 62nd-minute substitute.

Team News

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Glasner will likely name much of the team which started against Hoffenheim at the weekend with Paciencia pushing for an opportunity in the final third.

Martin Hinteregger is an option in the Frankfurt defence, while Jens Petter Hauge could be drafted into a creative area.

With nothing to play for on Thursday, Pereira will almost certainly take the opportunity to rest many of his Fenerbahce star men.

That should see the likes of Attila Szalai, Ferdi Kadioglu and Mesut Ozil all drop down to the substitutes' bench.

Pereira may also give consideration to handing more senior minutes to 16-year-old Arda Guler.

Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:
Ozer; Tisserand, Aziz, Novak; Sangare, Sosa, Meyer, Gumuskaya; Pelkas; Kahveci, Dursun

Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Trapp; Tuta, Hinteregger, Ndicka; Chandler, Jakic, Sow, Kostic; Borre, Hauge; Paciencia

We say: Fenerbahce 1-2 Eintracht Frankfurt

While a trip to Turkey can be intimidating, Frankfurt head into this contest as the favourites. With more on the line, we expected a sharp performance from the visitors, who could prevail by the odd goal in three.

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