Lugano vs Besiktas prediction: EUROPE: Europa Conference League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-12-13 20:00.
There is nothing but pride to play for when Lugano host Beşiktaş in the final round of UEFA Europa Conference League (UECL) Group D action, as both sides stand no chance of progressing following poor campaigns. The home side will be especially disappointed by their failure to capatalise on a strong start where they picked up four points across their opening two games, going on to lose their next three while conceding a mammoth ten goals in the process.
The Swiss side’s dropoff in performance extended their failure to progress from a UEFA group stage, with this being their third unsuccessful attempt in club history. The Black and Whites will at least want to bid FC Zürich’s Letzigrund Stadion farewell for the campaign in a victorious manner then, but after failing to win any of their last seven European ‘home’ matches (D3, L4), the Lugano faithful likely won’t be confident of witnessing that feat in this latest outing.
Lugano manager Mattia Croci-Torti will be quick to remind his team of their matchday two exploits as motivation, when they heroically came back from 2-0 down to beat Beşiktaş 3-2, their only victory in their last 15 continental matches (D3, L11). That kickstarted a four-game losing run in the group for Beşiktaş after securing an encouraging 1-1 draw away to Club Brugge on the opening day.
The Turkish side will be happy to see the back of yet another disappointing European campaign as a result, with that winless streak making it 15 losses from their last 17 UEFA group stage matches (W1, D1). The Black Eagles can at least sign off their first-ever UECL campaign with no pressure, which may further promote their all-or-nothing nature, embodied by having drawn just three of their 26 games this season (W14, L9).
Players to watch: Lugano’s top-scorer this season, Žan Celar might need to be patient if he’s to leave his mark on the UECL, having scored eight of his ten goals after half-time. Hoping to outgun him will be Vincent Aboubakar who netted Beşiktaş’ two goals in the reverse fixture, contributing to him scoring the match opener in five of his last nine goalscoring outings.
Hot stat: There have been under 1.5 first-half goals in 14 of Lugano’s last 16 matches.