Champions League
2026-08-11 - Sturm Graz vs Fenerbahce
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Champions League Third Qualifying Round Second Leg
Tuesday 11th August 2026 - Kick Off 7:30pm
Sturm Graz
There is no disguising the fact that it was a poor performance out in Istanbul last week, but the only positive for Sturm Graz is that being two goals behind is far from a fatal position in this Champions League Third Qualifying Round tie. Importantly, Sturm Graz have been better at home in UEFA competition over the last couple of seasons and the task here is going to be scoring first and shifting the narrative around the tie.
They have already beaten Hearts 6-0 on aggregate in the Second Qualifying Round, but the challenge for Sturm Graz is trying to win multiple Qualifiers, which has been beyond them in recent times. The side have won 5 of the last 7 home UEFA matches played, although Sturm Graz have still found the League Phases of the Champions League and Europa League too hot to handle.
Sturm Graz bounced back from the defeat last week in the First Leg by beating Hartberg in the Austrian Bundesliga this past weekend. They are unbeaten in 10 at home in all competitions going back to December 2025, while Sturm Graz have won 2 in a row at home either side of the summer break between campaigns.
The squad looks to be the same that was available for the First Leg with a couple of players still hoping to push back into contention.
Fenerbahce
Fir the fifth season in a row, Fenerbahce have finished 2nd in the Turkish Super Lig and, most frustratingly, the last four have all been behind rivals Galatasaray. That now means Fenerbahce only hold one more domestic title compared with Galatasaray and the big moves made by Fenerbahce have not paid off in recent seasons.
They have had Jose Mourinho in charge in recent years in the bid to finally negotiate the Champions League Qualifiers and return to the Group Stage for the first time since 2008/09. Ultimately even 'The Special One' could not change the 'football heritage' of Fenerbahce and it is Ismail Kartal who is back in charge for a fourth different time. The manager helped Fenerbahce edge past Gornik Zabrze in the Second Qualifying Round and the team look in a good shape to earn a spot in the Play Off Round after the 2-0 home win last week.
Fenerbahce will begin the domestic campaign on Saturday, but they have played a number of Champions League games already and are now unbeaten in 6 games in all competitions. The draw at Gornik Zabrze in the last Round means Fenerbahce have only won 1 of the last 4 away games in all competitions.
Jayden Oosterwolde is expected to miss out after picking up an injury in the First Leg and will likely miss the Play Off Round regardless of that being in the Champions League or Europa League.
Head to Head
Sturm Graz hosted Fenerbahce in the Third Qualifying Round of the Europa League in the summer of 2017 and that ended in a 1-2 defeat here in the First Leg.
Prediction
The result from the First Leg of this Champions League Third Qualifying Round tie means the onus is on Sturm Graz to get forward and try and get back into things.
Taking too many early risks would be a mistake, but Sturm Graz have to try and impose themselves after being second best by a clear margin last week in Istanbul.
Pushing too hard would leave them vulnerable to a counter attack and this Fenerbahce team looks pretty talented.
Ismail Kartal will know he is under pressure to deliver a long-awaited return to the Champions League Group Stage and the 2-0 win at home has put Fenerbahce in a strong position.
They are unbeaten in the last 5 away UEFA fixtures played, but Sturm Graz can contribute in this fixture better than they did last week and backing at least three goals to be shared out looks the right approach to take.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Sturm Graz 1-2 Fenerbahce
