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UEFA Europa League - Besiktas JK VS Athletic Bilbao Preview
UEFA Europa League - Besiktas JK VS Athletic Bilbao
Match Time:22-01-2025 23:30 Wednesday (GMT+8)
Football Livescore | Match Prediction & Tips
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Besiktas
Currently, Besiktas has halted its search for a new manager. With Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the helm, the Turkish club hopes to improve its performance, but will he remain in Istanbul for long, or will he meet the same fate as his predecessors? The 51-year-old Norwegian will make his debut as Besiktas's new head coach on Wednesday, against one of the strongest teams in the Europa League. In the encounter with the Basques, the Istanbul club is considered the underdog, which is understandable given their poor recent form.
The "Black Eagles" have managed only two wins in six European fixtures, resulting in a disappointing record after six matches: 2 wins and 4 losses. Particularly concerning is Besiktas's defensive play, having conceded 13 goals in those six matches, averaging over two goals conceded per game, a situation that urgently needs addressing.
To keep their hopes of progressing to the knockout stage alive, Besiktas must secure all three points in the upcoming match. The Turkish club currently sits outside the top 24 but has not yet given up on the chance to advance to the next round. Therefore, they need to amass at least 4 points from the remaining two fixtures to maintain their chances for the playoffs.
Historically, Besiktas has faced teams from Spain on 16 occasions. In these matches, the Istanbul Eagles hold modest statistics: 3 victories, 3 draws, and 10 losses. Among these ten losses, two were inflicted by their upcoming opponent – Athletic. However, the last meeting between the two sides dates back to October 1985.
Athletic Bilbao
Athletic Bilbao has emerged as one of the pleasant surprises of the season. The Basque team has made waves not only on the international stage but also in La Liga, where the "Lions" currently sit in fourth place after 20 matchdays. If the Bilbao club continues its impressive performance in the second half of the season, they will likely earn the right to participate in the Champions League.
Ernesto Valverde's side is six points clear of rivals Villarreal. At the international level, Athletic is currently the second-strongest team in the Europa League group stage standings, behind Lazio (Athletic is trailing on tie-breakers). The Basques have won five of their six matches in the new format of the Europa League, with one draw.
One of the five victories achieved by Athletic in the Europa League came in Istanbul, where they defeated Fenerbahce 2-0 in the last round. The Turkish side was fortunate with the scoreline, as the "Lions" clearly outperformed the team that finished second in the Super League. It is quite possible that the club from Bilbao will dominate again in their meeting with Besiktas.
Besiktas possible starting lineup:
Gunok; Svensson, Topcu, Uduokhai, Masuaku; Al Musrati, Fernandes; Silva, Mario, Rashica; Immobile
Athletic Bilbao possible starting lineup:
Simon; De Marcos, Vivian, Paredes, Berchiche; Jauregizar, Ruiz de Galarreta; I. Williams, Berenguer, N. Williams; Guruzeta
Prediction: Besiktas 1-1 Athletic Bilbao
Solskjaer will be hoping to kick off his tenure with a victory, especially as Besiktas need a strong finish to the league phase to reach the knockout rounds. However, we think that they will have to settle for a draw when they go up against an Athletic side that have avoided defeat in each of their six matches in the league phase.
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