Champions League
2026-11-04 - Fenerbahce vs Liverpool
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: UEFA Champions League Match Day 4
Wednesday 4th November 2026 - Kick Off 5:45pm
This game is live on TV
Fenerbahce
Things were clearly not going as hoped at Fenerbahce when Ismail Kartal resigned after the opening fixture in the Champions League Group Stage having guided the club back into the pot with the biggest European clubs. He changed his mind, but Kartal was eventually removed as manager after a defeat to Galatasaray and it is Dirk Kuyt who will be expected to be in the dugout as interim manager.
Reports have Fenerbahce closing in on Sergio Conceicao to become the new permanent manager, but it is going to be a difficult task for whoever accepts the role with the team already 9 points behind rivals Galatasaray in the title race. They are also 31st in the Champions League table having earned a couple of points so far thanks to home draws with Roma and Slavia Prague.
Fenerbahce have won 1 of the last 5 games in all competitions and they have suffered consecutive 2-1 defeats to Galatasaray and Goztepe ahead of this fixture. They had been unbeaten in 4 at home before the loss to Goztepe this past weekend.
Liverpool
There was little between Liverpool and English Champions Arsenal on Sunday, but the 0-1 defeat will have felt harsh for the home supporters. Some controversy was attached to the fixture after the officials refused to take a closer look at a first half shirt pull on Alexander Isak, but ultimately Liverpool were punished for failing to have a shot on target.
Andoni Iraola's men are a work in progress in the Premier League, but they have made a perfect start to the Champions League campaign after wins over Atletico Madrid, LASK and Villarreal. The Reds were 0-2 behind against Villarreal two weeks ago, but Liverpool fought back for a 4-3 win at Anfield and they are on course for a top eight finish in the Champions League standings.
Liverpool had been unbeaten in 5 games in all competitions following the home defeat to Manchester City, but that run was ended by Arsenal on Sunday afternoon. It is perhaps surprising that Liverpool's form at Anfield has been much more mixed than away from home where they are unbeaten in 5 in all competitions and have won 4 in a row.
The squad has been utilised for the previous Champions League games and that could be the case again in Istanbul. Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Rio Ngumoah are all going to be hoping to be given starting roles.
Head to Head
This is the first time these two clubs are meeting in a competitive fixture.
Prediction
Playing in Istanbul is always hugely challenging for visiting teams, but Liverpool have to believe they can get the better of a Fenerbahce team that have been out of sorts.
There is the potential that a new manager will be in place when Fenerbahce host this Champions League game, which will give the entire squad a lift.
However, there is a considerable gap to bridge anyway and there may not be enough time to have the impact hoped, which could mean Dirk Kuyt is in change against one of his former clubs.
Liverpool have been struggling for balance between attack and defence, but they have been most comfortable in the Champions League. Andoni Iraola's men have won all three games played in the League Phase and Liverpool have not had any problems in front of goal, which makes them favourites to win on Wednesday.
The manager will make some changes to the starting eleven, but there is some depth available to him and that should mean there are no excuses for Liverpool if they do not perform as expected.
Despite an awkward opening to this season, Fenerbahce have to be credited for the draw with Roma earlier in the League Phase of the Champions League.
However, the thumping 6-0 defeat to Aston Villa is a reminder of the gap between Fenerbahce and those clubs playing in the English Premier League. They were beaten twice here by Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest last season in the Europa League as well and Liverpool can do enough in the final third to earn the three points.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Fenerbahce 1-3 Liverpool
