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Turkish club Fenerbahce will visit Feyenoord at De Kuip Stadium on Wednesday for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League third qualifying round tie, marking the season's first official match for both teams.
The match, scheduled for 10 p.m. Turkish time (7 p.m. GMT), will be broadcast live. Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg will officiate the encounter.
Fenerbahce aims to return from the Netherlands with an advantageous score ahead of the Aug. 12 return leg in Istanbul against the Dutch side coached by Robin van Persie, known as the "Flying Dutchman."
This will mark the fifth official meeting between Fenerbahce and Feyenoord. In their previous four encounters, both teams have recorded two victories each, with Feyenoord scoring three goals compared to Fenerbahce's two across those matches.
All eyes will be on Fenerbahce's new transfers for their potential debuts. Milan Skriniar, who played on loan for Fenerbahce last season before having his contract permanently secured, is expected to start alongside new signings Archie Brown and Nelson Semedo.
John Duran is planned to be used as an impact substitute, according to team preparations.
Anderson Talisca, despite recovering from his injury, was not taken to the Netherlands as the club prefers not to risk him in Wednesday's match.
Fenerbahce will play their 39th match in the Champions League qualifying rounds. In their previous 38 qualifying matches, the Turkish side has recorded 14 victories, 12 draws, and 12 defeats while scoring 56 goals and conceding 46.
Expected Feyenoord starting XI: Wellenreuther; Read, Watanabe, Ahmedhodzic, Bos; Timber, Hwang, Moussa; Stejin, Stengs, Ueda
Expected Fenerbahce starting XI: Irfan Can Egribayat; Semedo, Skriniar, Oosterwolde, Archie Brown; Fred, Amrabat; Irfan Can Kahveci, Szymanski, Oguz Aydin; Jhon Duran
The winner of this two-legged tie will advance to the Champions League playoff round, moving one step closer to the group stage of Europe's premier club competition.
The return leg will take place on Aug. 12 at Fenerbahce's home stadium in Istanbul, where the Turkish side will look to leverage home advantage to secure their progression in the tournament.
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