Our prediction for this Europa Conference League match:
There will be fireworks when Neftci Baku and Besiktas go head to head in the Europa Conference League third qualifying round, first leg. Neftci Baku did well to beat Zeljeznicar in round 2, but they head into Thursday’s clash following an unexpected 1-0 loss to Kapaz in the national championship. There are no fresh injury concerns in the home team, but USA midfielder Kenny Saief should be recalled to the starting XI after coming as a substitute in the last league match.
The Turks, on the other hand, faced no difficulties in the double-header with KF Tirana. Given the number of high-profile players in Senol Gunes’ team, we believe that there is a big value in betting on the Black Eagles. A man to keep an eye on in the away side will be experienced Cameroon forward Vincent Aboubakar, who sealed the victory in Albania, while summer signing Arthur Masuaku misses out through suspension.
Highlighted Team (Besiktas):
Besiktas football club is one of the most successful teams in Turkey. Since its foundation in 1903, Besiktas have never been relegated to a lower rank of Turkish football. Black Eagles as they are known in Turkey play their matches at the Vodafone Arena in Istanbul which is an almost 42,000 all-seater capacity venue.
Considered one of the top three football clubs in the country, Besiktas are the 14-time Super Lig champions who are entering the Champions League group stage in the 2016-17 season looking to make their presence known at the European scene. Besiktas have played in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League four times already, and are yet to progress through to the knockout sgateg in the competition that was established in today’s format in 1992.
Their most outstanding European achievements of the Turkish side are the European Cup and UEFA Cup quarter-finals in 1987 and 2003, respectively. During their rich history the Black Eagles have also won 9 Turkish Cups and 8 national Super Cup titles.