An important match. Perhaps the most important in this preliminary round of the Europa League. On one side is Besiktas, which has undergone significant changes over the summer—Immobile, for example, has returned to Italy—and on the other is Shakhtar, which in recent years has become a regular fixture in the Champions League.
In short, it’s going to be a real contest in Turkey. A match that could undoubtedly set the tone for the season for both teams, who are facing each other in an official competition for the first time in their history. Yes, so far it’s only been friendlies, so it’s not even worth looking at who won. And the clear feeling in this doubleheader is that the winner will only be decided next week when the return leg is scheduled.
Yes, but how will it end? Clearly, there is no clear favorite. However, we are talking about two important teams in their respective leagues who are playing to win the title. Obviously, Besiktas is slightly less so, especially considering the teams that really spend a lot in Turkey. But it’s a historic team, one of those that can always have its say. So? So we have only one certainty in this match. And as mentioned before, qualification will only be decided in the second leg.
Odds comparison
A Besiktas win is priced at 2.30 on Goldbet and Lottomatica.
A goal is valued at 1.70 on GoldBet and Lottomatica.
Prediction
A tense, hard-fought match that Besiktas should be able to win, even with a narrow lead. However, Shakhtar should also be able to find the back of the net at least once during the 90 minutes. Therefore, it is certain that both teams will score and that the match will end with at least three goals in total.
Probable line-ups for Besiktas-Shakhtar Donetsk
BESIKTAS (4-3-3): Destanoglu; Sanuc, Uysal, Uzunhan, Topcu; Ricardo, Hadzianhmetovic, Bingol; Arroyo, Ucan, Terzi. SHAKHTAR DONETSK (4-1-4-1): Riznyk; Tobias, Grahm, Bondar, Azarovi; Ocheretcko; Eguinaldo, Bondarenko, Pedrinho, Newerton; Traore. POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1