The first leg of the 2025/26 Europa League second qualifying round between Besiktas (Turkey) and Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) will be held on July 24 at Besiktas Park in Istanbul. Besiktas vs. Shakhtar Donetsk: prediction, betting odds, statistics.
Besiktas
The team earned the right to compete in the Europa League second qualifying round thanks to their fourth-place finish in the last Turkish championship. Besiktas has previously participated in the Europa League 10 times but only once started from such an early qualifying stage—and they successfully advanced that time. Their best result in the Europa League was reaching the quarter-finals in the 2016/17 season. Last year, the team played in the main stage of the Europa League, where they collected 9 points and ranked 28th out of 36 teams (3 wins, 5 losses).
In the summer transfer window, the team was strengthened by the addition of forward Tammy Abraham and defender Felix Uduokhai.
- Both teams scored at least one goal in Besiktas's last eight home matches in the Europa League.
- More than two goals were scored in five of the club's previous home encounters in the Europa League.
- Besiktas won with a handicap (0) in 5 of their last 7 home games in this tournament.
Predicted lineup for Besiktas (4-3-3)*
Ersin Destanoglu – Emir Topcu, Emrecan Uzunhan, Necip Uysal, Tayip Sanuc – Tayfur Bingol, Amir Hadziahmetovic, Elan Ricardo – Emrecan Tarzi, Salih Ucan, Keny Arroyo.
Shakhtar Donetsk
The Ukrainian club began their Europa League journey from the first qualifying round, where they faced Ilves. In the first match, the team confidently won at home with a score of 6-0, and in the return leg, they rotated the squad and ended in a 0-0 draw. Previously, the club had never played in the second qualifying round of this tournament. It is also noteworthy that for the first time in the 21st century, the team will not participate in the Champions League.
During the off-season, Arda Turan became the new head coach of Shakhtar Donetsk.
- The club lost 4 of their last 5 away matches in the Europa League.
- The team has not scored more than one goal in their last five games in this tournament away from home.
- More than three goals were scored in 4 of Shakhtar's last 5 Europa League matches.
Predicted lineup for Shakhtar Donetsk (4-5-1)*
Dmytro Riznyk – Valeriy Bondar, Alaa Ghram, Vinicius Tobias, Irakli Azarovi – Artem Bondarenko, Nevertone, Oleh Ocheretko, Pedrinho, Eginaldo – Lassina Traore.
Referee
Georgi Kabakov (Bulgaria)
Matches – 15 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 78;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.2;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 19;
Penalties – 0%.
Match Prediction: Besiktas vs. Shakhtar Donetsk
Besiktas has been consistently productive at home in European competitions. The team has scored at least one goal in their last eight home matches in the Europa League, as well as in 16 of their previous 17 home matches in European competitions. The home game against Shakhtar Donetsk is crucial, and given the difficulty of the return leg, it is important for the Turks to strive for a result now, which means playing actively and scoring at least one or two goals.
It should be noted that Shakhtar Donetsk's defense is not particularly reliable: the team has conceded in 8 of their last 10 away matches in the Europa League, as well as in 15 of their last 17 international away matches. This gives Besiktas a good chance for a productive game in the first leg.
Considering all this, my prediction: Besiktas Individual Total Over 1
