Hradec Kralove have lost just one match this season, missing multiple chances to score against Besiktas last week. They must be aggressive in the reverse tie, which looks promising in terms of goals on Thursday.
Key Stats
- Besiktas have seen BTTS & over 2.5 goals in their last 2 matches (Super Lig).
- Hradec Kralove have seen BTTS in 4 of their last 6 away matches (First League).
- Hradec Kralove have scored in 19 of their last 21 matches (including pre-season).
Second H2H Meeting
Last week’s clash in the Czech Republic was the first head to head match between Besiktas and Hradec Kralove.
Besiktas Doing Great Under Italiano
Earlier this summer, Besiktas appointed Vincenzo Italiano as the new head manager hoping to be more competitive in the Super Lig title race in the upcoming campaign .
After a rough start to the pre-season campaign, the Black Eagles stepped up and delivered in the previous Europa League qualifying round, beating Midtjylland twice, 1-0 at home and 2-0 on the road. Orkun Kokcu appeared on scoresheet on both occasions.
Vincenzo Italiano’s side were in trouble last week against Hradec Kralove after Kassoum Outtara was sent off in the 71st minute, but still got away with a 1-0 victory, Semih Kilicsoy netting the winner in the 80th minute.
Hradec Lost Just One Game This Season
Hradec Kralove had nine shots on target in the first tie against Besiktas, Jakub Kucera and Ondrej Mihalik missing huge chances to score.
They looked great in the previous Europa League qualifying round, beating Tromso twice to advance, 1-0 on the road and 3-1 at home. Mick van Buren played a key role here, netting two goals and registering one assist.
David Horejs’ side is also having a solid start to the new First League campaign, grabbing seven points in three games. Last weekend, they defeated Ostrava 2-1 at home with Tom Sloncik netting a brace.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Besiktas (4-1-4-1) Alexander Nubel; Michael Murillo, Tiago Djalo, Emirhan Topcu, Ridvan Yilmaz; Salih Ozcan; Vaclav Cerny, Orkun Kokcu, Junior Olaitan, Ilhan Fakili; Hyeon-gyu Oh
Latest reports state that Dusan Vlahovic signed for Besiktas on a two-year deal, but won't be available for at least one week. Kassoum Ouattara is suspended.
Hradec Kralove (3-4-3) Adam Zadrazil; Filip Cihak, Jakub Uhrincat, Frantisek Cech; Martin Ludvicek, Vladimir Darida, Samuel Dancak, Daniel Horak; Tom Sloncik, Mick van Buren, Ondrej Mihalik
Hradec Kralove have traveled to Istanbul facing significant squad availability issues, with Tomas Wiesner, Jakub Kucera, and Tomas Petrasek all sidelined.