All signs are pointing at a one-sided clash in Istanbul. Besiktas are looking great under Vincenzo Italiano and I will back them to win to nil.
Key Stats
- Besiktas have won to nil in their last 5 matches.
- Kauno Zalgiris have lost their last 2 European matches.
No Previous Meetings
This is going to be the first head to head match between Besiktas and Kauno Zalgiris.
Besiktas Having an Amazing Season so Far
Earlier this summer, Besiktas appointed Vincenzo Italiano as the new head manager hoping to be more competitive in the Super Lig title race and deliver in European competitions.
So far their Europa League performances have been great, eliminating one of the strongest Scandinavian teams Midtjylland 3-0 on aggregate, while also earning two victories against Hradec Kralove (1-0 on both occasions) to advance to the final qualifying round.
The Black Eagles also started the new Super Lig campaign with a 1-0 victory against Eyupspor last weekend, Vaclav Cerny scoring the only goal on Junior Olaitan’s assist.
Kauno Never Made it to European Group Stages
Kauno Zalgiris’ European journey started in early July in the UCL qualifiers where they eliminated Drita 4-3 and Klaksvik 1-0 on aggregate.
The Lithuanian champions couldn’t compete against Dinamo Zagreb, suffering a heavy 5-0 loss in Croatia, while also losing in front of the home crowd 2-1 last Wednesday.
Poor form then got carried over to the Lithuanian top flight, being held to a 1-1 draw by Transinvest which caused them to lose the leading position.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Besiktas (4-1-4-1) Alexander Nubel; Onur Bulut, Tiago Djalo, Emmanuel Agbadou, Ridvan Yilmaz; Salih Ozcan; Vaclav Cerny, Junior Olaitan, Orkun Kokcu, Leandro Trossard; Semih Kilicsoy
Dango Ouattara is back after serving a suspension, while this should be the first European start for Leandro Trossard, Besiktas' biggest summer signing.
Dango Ouattara is back after serving a suspension, while this should be the first European start for Leandro Trossard, Besiktas' biggest summer signing.
Kauno Zalgiris (4-2-3-1) Tomas Svedkauskas; Egzon Kastrati, Anton Tolordava, Jason Hernandez, Nosa Edokpolor; Yukiyoshi Karashima, Vykintas Slivka; Pijus Burba, Karlo Krekovic, Amine Benchaib; Renan Oliveira
Amine Benchaib is probably going to be the biggest threat offensively. The visiting side have no reported injuries or suspensions.
Amine Benchaib is probably going to be the biggest threat offensively. The visiting side have no reported injuries or suspensions.