Premier League outfit Wolverhampton continue their UEFA Europa League adventure with a trip to Turkey, they visit Besiktas at Vodafone Park in Istanbul on Thursday evening. The two sides have never met before in an European competition, mainly because the Wolves have been absent from such events for the past few decades. Besiktas have played 20 times against teams from England and have won six matches, four of which were in Istanbul.
Besiktas are going through a very rough period, they have not won any of their last five matches in all competitions and lost three of the last four. Their UEFA Europa League group-stage campaign started with a 4-2 defeat at Slovan Bratislava in September, while last week they lost 4-1 at Trabzonspor in the Turkish league. They have collected just five points in the first six matches of the season and are in the relegation zone at the moment. Central defender Victor Ruiz is the only injury concern for the home side.
Wolverhampton had their own rough patch to go through, but it seems they are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Last weekend they recorded their first Premier League win of the season, 2-0 at home against Watford, easing the pressure on manager Nuno Espirito Santo and his players. Now they have to collect their first points in the UEFA Europa League group stage after having lost the inaugural match 1-0 at home against Braga. Diogo Jota is the only injury concern for the visitors.
Probable line-ups:
Besiktas: Karius - Douglas, Vida, Uysal, Rebocho - Diaby, Tokoz, Elneny, Ljajic, Nkoudou - Nayir
Wolves: Patricio - Bennett, Vallejo, Boly - Doherty, Dendoncker, Neves, Gibbs-White, Jonny - Cutrone, Jimenez
My prediction:
Besiktas have been just terrible this season and I think Wolves can punish them, even though the Premier League team are not playing brilliantly either. I think Wolverhampton will win 2-1.
Here are the odds for the match at NetBet:
Besiktas win - 3.00
Draw - 3.45
Wolves win - 2.35
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