/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.footballwhispers.com%2Fmain%2F2025%2F09%2FFotoJet-2025-09-30T175551.427.jpg)
Fenerbahce and Sturm Graz continue their quest for Champions League football when they go head-to-head in the first leg of the third qualifying round on Wednesday. Meeting for the first time since an Europa League third qualifying round clash back in 2017, both sides will be looking to place one foot in the playoffs, and this makes for an exciting contest at the Chobani Stadium.
Read our Fenerbahce vs Sturm Graz preview, prediction and betting tips below, while you can also find more of our expert predictions on today's betting tips.
Fenerbahce vs Sturm Graz key stats
- Fenerbahce have picked up just two wins in their last eight Champions League qualifying matches, while losing three and claiming three draws since August 2024.
- Sturm Graz have won all but one of their last five Champions League games (including qualifiers), with a 5-0 defeat against Bodo/Glimt in the knockout-stage playoffs back in August 2025 being the exception.
- Fenerbahce are unbeaten in eight competitive home games on the trot, picking up five wins and three draws since a 3-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest in the Europa League on February 19.
- Sturm Graz are on a run of 17 straight competitive games without defeat (9W 4D) since a 1-0 loss against WSG Tirol in the Austrian Bundesliga back in February.
Fenerbahce vs Sturm Graz: Another tricky challenge for Turkish giants after unconvincing second-round display
Fenerbahce vs Sturm Graz — Tale of the Tape
| Fenerbahce | vs | Sturm Graz |
|---|---|---|
| 2nd (2025-26 Super Lig) | Position | 6th (2026-27 Bundesliga) |
| 74 | Points | 1 |
| 77 | Goals For | 1 |
| 37 | Goals Against | 1 |
| 11 | Clean Sheets | 0 |
| 2nd | Home / Away Rank | 1st |
Fenerbahce were made to work their socks off in their Champions League qualifying second-round clash against Gornik Zabrze as they overcame a comeback scare in the second leg last Wednesday to secure a 2-1 aggregate victory over the Polish outfit.
Following a hard-fought 1-0 victory in the first leg, the Turkish side put their noses in front at Arena Zabrze thanks to a 12th-minute penalty from Talisca, and after Michal Sacek restored parity for Gornik on the stroke of half time, the visitors held their own in the second half to repel the hosts and take a narrow victory.
Since a 3-0 loss against Galatasaray in April, a result which ultimately saw them lose out on the Turkish Super League crown, Fenerbahce have gone eight straight games without defeat across all competitions, including consecutive victories over Admira Wacker, Pogon Szczecin and LASK in a promising pre-season run.
Chasing a first Champions League group-stage appearance since 2008, Ismail Kartal’s men booked their spot in the qualifiers after finishing as runners-up in the Turkish Super Lig last season, just three points behind rivals Galatasaray.
Fenerbahce came closest to ending their lengthy absence from the continental showpiece last season, when they made it all the way to the qualifying playoffs before suffering a gruesome 1-0 aggregate loss against Portuguese giants Benfica.
Sturm Graz, on the other hand, are aiming for a second Champions League appearance in the last three seasons, following their group-stage exit in 2024, when they finished 30th in the standings with six points from eight matches.
The Austrian outfit missed out on qualification last season after a humbling defeat against Bodo/Glint in the playoff round, where they lost the first leg 5-0 in Norway before claiming a 2-1 victory on their return home in the second leg.
Having finished second in the Bundesliga last season, Sturm Graz have kicked off their qualifying campaign with promise this time around, claiming a 6-0 aggregate victory over Hearts in the second round back in July, beating the Scottish outfit 4-0 in the first leg before claiming a 2-0 second-leg victory in Edinburgh.
Fabio Ingolitsch’s men journey to Turkey fresh off the back of a 1-1 draw with Tirol in the 2026-27 Austrian Bundesliga opener last Saturday, with Szymon Wlodarczyk and Michael Olakigbe scoring for either side to force a share of the spoils at the Tivoli Stadion Tirol.
Sturm Graz will be backing themselves to come away with something at the Chobani Stadium, having gone unbeaten in each of their last 17 competitive games, picking up nine wins and four draws since a 1-0 defeat against Tirol on February 14.
Fenerbahce vs Sturm Graz form guide & betting tips
| Fenerbahce | vs | Sturm Graz |
|---|---|---|
WWWWD |
Form | WWWWD
|
| 13 | Goals For | 11 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 1 |
WD |
Champions League qualification | WW |
Whispers’ prediction: Fenerbahce 2-1 Sturm Graz
While on paper, Fenerbahce are clear favourites, this is a tough match to call – with Sturm Graz riding pretty high and the Turkish outfit backing themselves in front of their home supporters.
We predict an action-packed contest at the Chobani Stadium, with Kartal’s men claiming a narrow victory at 9/25 (1.36), while we see both sides also scoring, which is currently priced at 9/10 (1.90).
Fenerbahce to win + BTTS – Yes is priced at 11/5 (3.20), which offers value for us, while the correct score market has a correct score of 2-1 at 8/1 (9.00).
> HT/FT – Full-time result – Fenerbahce to win at 9/25 (1.36) | Likelihood: Possible
> BTTS – Yes at 9/10 (1.90) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score: 2-1 at 8/1 (9.00) | Likelihood: Outsider