Besiktas vs FC Midtjylland - prediction, team news, lineups

With a caller antheral successful charge, Besiktas statesman their 2026-27 play connected Thursday evening, erstwhile they invited FC Midtjylland to Istanbul for the archetypal limb of a important Europa League qualifier. 

Both entering successful the 2nd round, the brace are 3 steps distant from a spot successful the league phase, which the Danish broadside impressively progressed done past season.

Match preview

In summation to different aboriginal exit from Europe, Besiktas finished a distant 4th successful the Turkish Super Lig past term, arsenic metropolis rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahce again fought it retired for the title.

Sergen Yalcin past stepped speech for Vincenzo Italiano, who has antecedently led some Bologna and Fiorentina to the second rounds of European competitions, truthful expectations person been raised. 

It has been 5 years since Besiktas were crowned home champions and 3 since they past reached a UEFA radical stage, and it is hoped Italiano's nous tin reconstruct their status. 

The Istanbul club's caller manager has already brought successful proven performers specified arsenic German goalkeeper Alexander Nubel and ex-Arsenal guardant Leandro Trossard, though the second volition not beryllium disposable connected Thursday.

While Trossard recovers from his exertions with Belgium astatine the World Cup, Besiktas person played 5 friendlies to hole for their Europa League opener.

However, they lone won 2 - against comparative minnows Gyirmot and SV Mattersburg - losing to Spartak Trnava and Widzew Lodz earlier drafting 1-1 with Dynamo Malzenice.

Meanwhile, Midtjylland person been engaged warming up with a much promising tally of 4 wins from five; astir recently, they thumped Cardiff City 6-0 earlier beating Odense 4-1.

Four-time Danish champions contempt lone being formed successful 1999, the Jutland nine person besides built a beardown estimation successful Europe, and they enjoyed a good Europa League run past season.

Highlights included victories implicit Celtic, Nottingham Forest and Dinamo Zagreb, arsenic Mike Tullberg's men finished 3rd successful the league signifier earlier being cruelly knocked retired by Forest successful the past 16.

That penalty-shootout nonaccomplishment did not derail their season, arsenic the Wolves went connected to decision Copenhagen 1-0 successful the Danish Cup last aft finishing 2nd to astonishment champions Aarhus successful the Superliga.

As a reward, Tullberg's broadside person the accidental to conscionable either Tromso oregon Hradec Kralove successful circular 3 of Europa League qualifying - but they indispensable archetypal bushed Besiktas to get there.

Besiktas pre-season form:

W D L L D

FC Midtjylland pre-season form:

W D W W W

Team News

While rumoured people Mohamed Salah has yet to motion connected the dotted line, Besiktas tin telephone upon caller arrivals Nubel, Kassoum Outtara, Salih Ozcan and Ilhan Fakili, each of whom person been named successful their UEFA squad.

However, Trossard is inactive connected post-World Cup permission and German defender Felix Uduokhai indispensable service a suspension.

Playmaker and skipper Orkun Kokcu should articulation Wilfred Ndidi successful midfield, but it remains to beryllium seen who starts up front.

South Korea striker Oh Hyeon-gyu volition vie with returning youngster Semih Kilicsoy, who had a mixed play connected indebtedness with Serie A strugglers Cagliari.

Meanwhile, Midtjylland's onslaught could diagnostic Arsenal people Dario Osorio and Guinea-Bissau planetary Franculino Dju, contempt respective suitors seemingly chasing their signatures.

The second has scored 55 goals successful 107 appearances for the nine - positive 1 successful some of their past 2 friendlies - and is backmost astatine afloat fittingness aft suffering a genu wounded precocious past season.

New signings Rasmus Kristensen and Friday Etim whitethorn besides start, but Brazilian wing-back Paulinho has near for Botafogo and skipper Mads Bech Sorensen is simply a uncertainty owed to injury.

Besiktas imaginable starting lineup:

Nubel; Bulut, Djalo, Agbadou, Yilmaz; Ndidi, Ozcan; Cerny, Kokcu, Fakili; Kilicsoy

FC Midtjylland imaginable starting lineup:

Olafsson; Lee, Diao, Kristensen; Osorio, Billing, Bravo, Byskov; Castillo, Franculino; Etim

We say: Besiktas 2-2 FC Midtjylland 

While people stronger astatine home, Midtjylland are present experienced travellers astir Europe and clasp nary fears aft past term's continental campaign.

So, having besides racked up extremity aft extremity successful pre-season, the Wolves tin assertion a invaluable distant gully against a Besiktas broadside inactive uncovering their feet nether caller management.

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