Besiktas vs Ath Bilbao prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-01-21 15:30.
[p]Wednesday’s UEFA Europa League (UEL) clash marks a new dawn for Beşiktaş, with head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjær set to take charge of his first game. Having been appointed just a few hours earlier, the Norwegian watched on from the stands at the weekend as the Turkish giants dropped points in the Süper Lig at home to Samsunspor (0-0), making it just two wins in their last seven matches across all competitions (D3, L2).[/p]
[p]This is Solskjær’s first managerial role since leaving Manchester United in 2021, but he will need to hit the ground running quickly in Istanbul if Beşiktaş are to make it into the knockouts of the UEL. They begin this penultimate round of the league phase one point outside of the 24 qualification spots after losing four of their six main draw games to date (W2). It’s part of an ongoing struggle in this competition that has now seen them lose ten of their last 13 UEL fixtures (W3). [/p]
[p]Opponents Athletic Bilbao begin the round second in the league phase table as one of just five teams still unbeaten in the competition’s main draw this term, with qualification already guaranteed. Ernesto Valverde’s side now need just two points from their final two games to ensure that they finish in the top eight and avoid becoming embroiled in the knockout play-off round.[/p]
[p]As well as securing a spot in that top eight, victory here would also see the Spanish side write a new chapter in the club’s history books. After drawing their opening game at Roma 1-1 in September, the Spaniards have won all five UEL games and recorded clean sheets in four of those successes – never before have the La Liga outfit won six consecutive games in major European competition.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: Nine of Ciro Immobile’s 14 goals across all competitions this term have come in the first half, netting the match opener five times. Álex Berenguer has registered ten goal involvements across all competitions so far this season (G5, A5). Strangely, all five assists came in the first half while all five goals were in the second half.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Beşiktaş lost five of their last six meetings with Spanish sides in all competitions (W1).[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ben Olawumi[/i][/p]