Champions league: Fenerbahce vs. Sevilla

Turkish multimillionaire Aziz Yildirim has created in Fenerbahce a team worthy of taking the reins from Galatasaray and has made history as this is the first time Fenerbahce have qualified for the knock out stage of the Champions League. Their coach is the legendary Brazilian midfielder Zico, who has been allowed to do things his way and the side is fast becoming one to be feared by their opponents.

Sevilla travel to Turkey hoping to book a place in the last eight of the competition, but they will have to brave a hostile environment and some very good players if they want a good result here. The Spanish side will encounter some familiar faces, too. Roberto Carlos, who played for Real Madrid for ten years, seems to be having a great time of it in Turkey, and ex-Atlético Madrid striker Kezman is also getting minutes. The real star of the team though, is Brazilian Alex. He’s in red hot form and should prove very difficult for Sevilla to stop.

The Spaniards will be without central defender Javi Navarro and also the Uruguayan striker Ernesto Chevantón, who was operated this week. The good news is that both Adriano and Keita are back from their one match suspension and will be available for this clash.

I’m going for a home victory in this first leg. Fenerbahce will be too strong I think for this Sevilla side that is always difficult to tell how they will play. Their terrible away record in the Spanish domestic league got a little better at the weekend with a solid four – two win over Espanyol, although the home side is now struggling to maintain their hold on the European spot. With that win Sevilla went up to sixth in La Liga and are now in a UEFA cup spot, but they will not be content with anything except finishing in the top four.  My money is on Fenerbahce then, but the tie won’t be settled in Turkey but in the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium in the return match.

Prediction: Home win (2-1)