Athletic Club make their second trip to Istanbul of the season on Wednesday. Our Besiktas vs Athletic Club prediction and Europa League betting tips consider whether they can get another good result in Turkey, after beating Fenerbahce in December.
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Besiktas vs Athletic Club prediction: Inaki Williams to strike in away win
Key stats
- Our Besiktas vs Athletic Club betting tips take into account that five of the last six games involving the Turkish side have seen both teams score.
- Besiktas have won just two of their last 11 games in all competitions.
- It’s eight wins out of 12 for Athletic in all competitions heading into this game.
Correct score prediction: Besiktas 1-2 Athletic Club
Athletic were much too good for Fenerbahce when they visited this city last month, and on paper this is an easier fixture, with Besiktas not in good form and lower down the standings in both the Turkish Super Lig and the Europa League.
They do have a new boss though, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer taking charge at the weekend, and he may get some kind of reaction from his new players. A competitive game looks likely, but the visitors have more quality and should win it.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Valverde’s side the clear favourites
- HOME: 7/2 (4.50) – 22.2%
- DRAW: 3/1 (4.00) – 25.0%
- AWAY: 17/20 (1.85) – 54.1%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The visitors are the favourites according to the Besiktas vs Athletic Club odds with an implied probability of 54.1% that they win this match.
They head into the game following a 2-1 win at Celta Vigo in La Liga, with Alex Berenguer and Dani Vivian scoring.
As for Besiktas, they failed to see off the 10 men of Samsunspor in a goalless league game on Saturday.
For more from the upcoming games around Europe, today’s football betting tips look at some of the best picks.
Most recent H2Hs: Clubs set for first meeting in 20 years
Our Besiktas vs Athletic Club prediction suggests the Turkish side may fall just short, but they have good memories from a 3-1 home win over Athletic in the 2004/05 UEFA Cup group stage.
The only other meetings came during the 1985/86 season, when Athletic won a UEFA Cup first round tie 5-1 on aggregate.
Besiktas preview: Four injury concerns for Solskjaer
The new Besiktas boss is missing Tayyib Talha Sanuc and Serkan Terzi to injuries. He also has doubts over Gabriel Paulista and Necip Uysal.
Predicted Lineup: Gunok (GK), Svensson, Uduokhai, Topcu, Masuaku, Fernandes, Al Musrati, Rashica, Rafa Silva, Muci & Immobile
Tu00fcrkiye Super Lig 12/04/25 L Istanbul Basaksehir 2 Besiktas 0 Tu00fcrkiye Super Lig 07/04/25 D Kasimpasa 1 Besiktas 1 Tu00fcrkiye Cup 03/04/25 L Goztepe 3 Besiktas 1 Tu00fcrkiye Super Lig 29/03/25 W Galatasaray 1 Besiktas 2 Tu00fcrkiye Super Lig 15/03/25 L Konyaspor 1 Besiktas 0
Athletic Club preview: Sancet the main doubt
The visitors still have a doubt over Oihan Sancet who again missed the weekend game with an injury. Otherwise, Valverde should have a full squad to pick from.
Predicted Lineup: Agirrezabala (GK), Yuri, Paredes, Vivian, De Marcos, Jauregizar, Ruiz de Galarreta, N. Williams, Berenguer, I. Williams & Guruzeta
Spain La Liga 13/04/25 W Rayo Vallecano 1 Athletic Bilbao 3 UEFA Europa League 10/04/25 D Rangers 0 Athletic Bilbao 0 Spain La Liga 06/04/25 D Villarreal 0 Athletic Bilbao 0 Spain La Liga 30/03/25 D Osasuna 0 Athletic Bilbao 0 Spain La Liga 16/03/25 W Sevilla 0 Athletic Bilbao 1
Player to watch – Inaki Williams
The only Athletic player to score more than once this season in the Europa League is Inaki Williams. His four goals in the competition have come at a rate of one every 125 minutes.
Williams striking midway through the second half
50% of the Ghana international’s goals this season in all competitions have come between the 61st and 75th minutes. That includes 72nd and 73rd-minute goals in the Europa League.