Beşiktaş vs Crystal Palace: Europa League preview as Palace's absentees loom large

Beşiktaş have won four of their last five matches and scored 11 goals in that run, a sharp attacking spell that makes them the side to beat at Tüpraş Stadium on Thursday.

Two sides heading in different directions

Matchday three of the league phase finds Beşiktaş fourth of 36 teams with six points from two games and a goal difference of +4. Crystal Palace sit 15th with three points, also from two games, and a +3 goal difference. For the hosts, a win would consolidate a strong start. For Palace, it would be a significant step towards keeping their European campaign on track.

Beşiktaş’s home record

Beşiktaş have been difficult to beat in Istanbul. They have won all four of their home matches this season, scoring nine goals and conceding only once. Their wider form has been just as convincing: seven wins from eight games in all competitions, with the single defeat coming away from home. Across their last five, they have conceded only four times, suggesting a side that is organised as well as potent.

Palace’s recent record is more mixed. They have won one and lost one, with six goals scored and three conceded in those two games. Their away results have been limited, and they have yet to keep a clean sheet this season.

Palace’s injury problem

The real storyline is Palace’s absence list. Christantus Riad is out with a knee injury, while Chadi Riad’s… more precisely, C. Riad is ruled out with a knee problem. Four players, C. Doucoure, Z. Gozo, E. Guessand and J. Lerma, are off the matchday roster. Three more, B. Chilwell, D. Henderson and T. Tomiyasu, are listed as doubtful through injury, with Chilwell and Henderson carrying knocks and Tomiyasu a calf problem.

That is a heavy burden for any manager, and it matters most in a setting like this. Palace will need depth and rotation to cope with a Beşiktaş side that has the momentum and the home crowd behind them. Any late fitness news on the doubtful trio will shape how Palace set up.

Beşiktaş are not without concerns of their own. C. Keles is off the roster, O. Kokcu is inactive and M. Rashica is injured. Even so, the home side’s depth in form and results gives them the edge.

Our prediction

PreviaXI’s model favours Beşiktaş, and the football reasons back that up. The hosts are scoring freely at home and have been hard to break down, while Palace arrive with a depleted squad and limited away results to lean on. We expect Beşiktaş to create the greater share of chances and control much of the game, though a stretched Palace defence could still offer a goal or two on the counter.

Beşiktaş 2-1 Crystal Palace