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Fulham will continue their marvelous run in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday when they travel to face Italian giants Juventus in the first leg of their round of 16 tie. Fulham, who narrowly avoided relegation from the Barclay's Premier League on the last day of the 2007/08 campaign, have experienced a miraculous turn of fortune as they look to press forward to the quarterfinals. Juventus must be wary of a Fulham side that has overcome other seasoned European clubs this season, including FC Basel, AS Roma, and defending UEFA Cup champions Shakhtar Donetsk. Kickoff between the two is set for 21:05 local time at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin, Italy.

Juventus kept their dreams of returning to the UEFA Champions League alive on Saturday as they defeated mid table club ACF Fiorentina in the Italian Serie A. The 2-1 win for Juventus kept them close to the top four clubs in Italy. Juve currently sit in fifth place, in control of a Europa League spot, with Sampdoria just one point behind them and Napoli three points behind. Juve remain two points behind fourth place Palermo. Over the weekend in England, Fulham battled London neighbor Tottenham to a goalless draw in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup. The Cottagers will no doubt be slightly disappointed with the outcome as they now face a replay at White Hart Lane to determine which club will host Portsmouth in the semifinals.

Fulham will be without several players on Thursday when they travel to Italy to face Juventus. Captain Danny Murphy was sent off in the previous round against Shakhtar Donetsk and will miss the first leg. Nickey Shorey and Stefano Okaka will also be missing as both players are cup tied. Paul Konchesky is the likely replacement for Shorey at left-back, but the Cottagers will also be without Andy Johnson, Clint Dempsey, and right-back John Pantsil who all have knee injuries. Fulham's achievements to date are impressive given this is just the second foray into European club competition for the London club. Fulham's last run in Europe came in 2002/03 in the UEFA Intertoto Cup.

Both clubs will be looking for a positive outcome from Thursday evening's match in Turin, Italy. Juventus will want to get off to a good start so they have an advantage heading into the return leg in London. Fulham will no doubt accept any positive outcome as they know they will be on their home pitch for the decisive second leg.