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Besiktas welcome Hradec Kralove to Besiktas Park in Istanbul on Thursday for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie, holding a narrow 1-0 advantage from last week's meeting in the Czech Republic.
Vincenzo Italiano's side need only avoid defeat to reach the playoff round, while the visitors must score in Istanbul if they are to keep their hopes of reaching the Europa League league phase alive.
The losing side will drop into Conference League qualifying, meaning both clubs still have a route into the main stages of European competition even if they fail to progress from this tie.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Besiktas vs Hradec Kralove key stats
- Besiktas have not conceded a goal in any of their three Europa League qualifying matches this season.
- Besiktas have won all three of their European qualifying matches this season.
- Two of Hradec Kralove’s Europa qualifiers have produced under 2.5 goals.
- All three of Besiktas’ Europa qualifiers have produced under 2.5 goals.
Besiktas vs Hradec Kralove preview: Black Eagles looking to finish the job
Besiktas vs Hradec Kralove — Tale of the Tape
| Besiktas | vs | Hradec Kralove |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | Position | 5th in Czech First League |
| N/A | Points | 7 |
| N/A | Goals For | 4 |
| N/A | Goals Against | 2 |
| N/A | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| N/A | Home / Away Rank | 12th |
Besiktas travel into the second leg with a narrow advantage after Semih Kilicsoy's 80th-minute goal settled last week's contest at FINEP Arena.
The Turkish side were forced to defend for the final stages after Kassoum Ouattara was sent off in the 71st minute, but they maintained their concentration to secure a 1-0 victory and another European clean sheet.
That result continued an excellent defensive start to Italiano's European campaign, with Besiktas yet to concede across three qualifying matches this season, having eliminated FC Midtjylland 3-0 on aggregate in the previous round before producing another disciplined display against Hradec.
The return to Istanbul should provide an additional advantage, and they have already beaten Midtjylland 1-0 at home during this qualifying campaign.
Italiano can also devote his attention to European competition because the new Turkish Super Lig season does not begin until the weekend, although the need to protect a narrow aggregate lead means the Italian coach cannot afford to become complacent.
Ouattara will miss the second leg following his dismissal in the opening encounter, making him the only absentee.
Hradec Kralove return to European action knowing that their first-leg performance contained enough attacking promise to suggest they can trouble Besiktas again, although converting those opportunities will be essential in Istanbul.
David Horejs's side registered nine shots on target and created four big chances in the opening encounter, only to find Alexander Nubel in outstanding form as the Besiktas goalkeeper made eight saves.
The Czech club responded positively at the weekend by beating Banik Ostrava 2-1, with Tom Sloncik scoring both goals, but their European ambitions face a significant obstacle in the form of Besiktas' defensive record.
Hradec must score at least once to take the tie beyond 90 minutes, while a two-goal victory would be required to qualify without extra time.
Hradec will also have to contend with several absences, including Tomas Wiesner and Jakub Kucera, who remain sidelined with knee injuries.
Tomas Petrasek, Adam Binar, Viktor Zentrich and Juraj Chvatal are also unavailable, while Adam Vlkanova remains doubtful.
Besiktas vs. Hradec Kralove form guide & betting tips
| Besiktas | vs | Hradec Kralove |
|---|---|---|
D
L
W
W
W
|
Form | W
W
D
L
W
|
| 7 | Goals For | 7 |
| 4 | Goals Against | 4 |
W
W
W
|
Europa League Qualifiers | W
W
L
|
Whispers predicts: Besiktas 2-0 Hradec Kralove
Besiktas have shown greater defensive consistency throughout their European campaign and should be able to control the second leg with a one-goal aggregate advantage already secured.
Hradec created enough chances in the first meeting to suggest they can test Nubel again, but Besiktas' home advantage and superior individual quality should eventually prove decisive.
A controlled home victory looks the most likely outcome, and Besiktas to win is priced at 3/10 (1.30), while Besiktas to win to nil is available at 1/1 (2.00).
> Match result – Besiktas to win at 3/10 (1.30) | Likelihood: Likely
> Besiktas to win to nil at 1/1 (2.00) | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 2.5 goals at 6/15 (2.20) | Likelihood: Probable
> Correct score – Besiktas 2-0 Hradec Kralove at 11/2 (6.50) | Likelihood: Outsider