Competition: UEFA Europa League - League Phase (Round 3) Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2025 Kick-off Time: 16:45 UTC (or 19:45 EEST/CEST based on location) Venue: Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, Istanbul, Türkiye
Overview
Fenerbahçe host VfB Stuttgart in a crucial Europa League match with both sides currently sitting on three points from their opening two games (one win, one loss). The match will be a clash of Fenerbahçe's formidable home form against Stuttgart's high-pressing, high-possession style. Intriguingly, this fixture marks the first competitive meeting between the two clubs.
Team Form and European Context
Fenerbahçe SK (Türkiye)
Under new management, the Yellow Canaries have stabilized domestically, entering this match on a strong run of domestic unbeaten games and a good record at home.
Europa League: Started with a 3-1 away loss to Dinamo Zagreb, but recovered with a vital 2-1 home victory against Nice.
Domestic Form: The team has been highly efficient and is currently enjoying a strong spell, with their attack, featuring players like Youssef En-Nesyri and Marco Asensio, proving clinical. Their home stadium is a fortress, having secured several recent victories there.
Key Stat: Fenerbahçe have an impressive recent continental home record, with only three defeats in their last 25 European fixtures, making their stadium a very tough place for opponents to visit. However, they struggle historically against German opposition, winning only one of their previous 13 attempts.
VfB Stuttgart (Germany)
Stuttgart is enjoying a brilliant start to their domestic Bundesliga campaign, currently sitting in the upper echelons of the league table, but their European results have been less consistent.
Europa League: Began with a solid 2-1 home win over Celta Vigo, but then fell to a 2-0 away defeat against Basel on Matchday 2.
Domestic Form: Their current Bundesliga form is superb, winning five of their last six matches overall.
Style: Stuttgart is known for high possession and high shot volume, often creating many chances. Key players like Chris Führich are central to their creativity, though they sometimes struggle to convert their numerous opportunities.
Challenge: Their recent away form in Europe has been mixed, and they will need to overcome a strong Istanbul atmosphere to secure points.
Key Tactical Battles
Stuttgart's Possession vs. Fenerbahçe's Home Defense: Stuttgart likes to dominate the ball and push high. The key for Fenerbahçe will be whether their defensive structure can hold firm and if they can use the pace of players like Kerem Aktürkoğlu and the finishing of En-Nesyri on the counter-attack.
Midfield Control: The battle between Stuttgart's influential midfielder, potentially Angelo Stiller, and Fenerbahçe's midfield duo, likely Fred (if fit) and İsmail Yüksek, will be crucial in dictating the pace and territory.
Set-Pieces and Crosses: Given the physical nature of both leagues, set-pieces and wide play could prove decisive in a tightly contested match.
Prediction
This is expected to be a competitive and open match, with both teams showing strong attacking intent (leading to predictions of Both Teams to Score - Yes). Fenerbahçe’s excellent home record and Stuttgart’s mixed away form in Europe give the Turkish side a slight advantage in their fortress.
Predicted Scoreline: Fenerbahçe 2 - 1 VfB Stuttgart
