Europa League qualifying will continue this week with the second leg of the second round matches set to take place.
One of the standout fixtures in this round is Shakhtar Donetsk vs Besiktas in a battle between two European regulars.
The Ukrainian side came out on top last week and hold a two-goal advantage ahead of the second leg. Can they now finish the job in Poland, in their designated ‘home' match?
As part of this week's round of Europa League betting tips, check out your Shakhtar Donetsk vs Besiktas prediction below.
Contents
- 1 Shakhtar Donetsk vs Besiktas prediction: Shakhtar to sail through
- 2 Pre-game odds and win probability: The visitors are big underdogs
- 3 Most recent H2Hs: A second competitive meeting
- 4 Shakhtar Donetsk preview: An unchanged XI is expected
- 5 Besiktas preview: Solskjaer to climb another mountain?
- 6 Player to watch: Tammy Abraham
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Besiktas prediction: Shakhtar to sail through
Key Stats
- Besiktas have failed to win any of their last four matches.
- Shakhtar Donetsk scored four goals against Besiktas in Turkey last week.
- Both teams have scored in four of Besiktas' last five competitive matches.
Correct score prediction: Shakhtar Donetsk 3-1 Besiktas
The first leg match between these two teams was a close match, and although 4-2 flattered Shakhtar, they still accumulated ten shots and five on target, and that was against a team who are usually significantly better at home. Therefore, Shakhtar have already beaten the best version of Besiktas, so logic says they should be able to match that feat in the second leg.
Pre-game odds and win probability: The visitors are big underdogs
- HOME: 1/1 (2.00) – 50%
- DRAW: 29/10 (3.90) – 25.6%
- AWAY: 11/5 (3.20) – 31.3%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
The Shakhtar Donetsk vs Besiktas odds rule indicate that the visitors have it all to do if they are to turn this tie around. Ladbrokes have made Shakhtar Donetsk the favourites, and have given them a 50% chance of winning on the night, while Besiktas have been given a 31.3% chance of winning the second leg.
Visit our latest football tips page for more free predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: A second competitive meeting
Despite both clubs regularly competing in European competitions over the past couple of decades, last week was the first time that they had played against each other in a competitive match. Therefore, following their 4-2 victory in Istanbul, Shakhtar boast a 1-0 lead in the overall H2H record.
UEFA Europa League Qualifying 24/07/25
Besiktas
Shakhtar Donetsk
Europe Friendlies 17/07/24
Besiktas
Shakhtar Donetsk
Europe Friendlies 12/07/18
Besiktas
Shakhtar Donetsk
Shakhtar Donetsk preview: An unchanged XI is expected
Following their impressive display in Turkey last week, and the fact that they haven't played a game since, Shakhtar are expected to line up with the same players that put four past Besiktas last time out. New signing, Marlon, could make the substitutes' bench, though, following is emotional return to the club.
Predicted lineup: Riznyk (GK), Konoplya, Bondar, Matviienko, Henrique, Gomes, Ocheretko, Sudakov, Alisson, Eguinaldo, Kevin
Ukraine Vyscha Liga 09/05/25
D
FC Zorya Lugansk
0
Shakhtar Donetsk
0
Ukraine Vyscha Liga 03/05/25
W
Chernomorets Odessa
0
Shakhtar Donetsk
3
Ukraine Vyscha Liga 27/04/25
D
Dynamo Kiev
2
Shakhtar Donetsk
2
Ukraine Cup 23/04/25
W
Polissya Zhytomyr
0
Shakhtar Donetsk
1
Ukraine Vyscha Liga 19/04/25
L
Kolos Kovalivka
4
Shakhtar Donetsk
2
Besiktas preview: Solskjaer to climb another mountain?
Ole Gunnar Solskjær's career has featured a couple of momentous comebacks in Europe, both as a player and manager. This isn't the first time that he has gone into a European second leg away from home trailing by two goals, so he won't have written the tie off yet. If they are to progress, they will have to do it without the injured duo of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov.
Predicted lineup: Gunok (GK), Svensson, Gabriel, Uduokhai, Jurasek, Kokcu, Tiknaz, Rashica, Silva, Mario, Abraham
Tu00fcrkiye Super Lig 11/05/25
W
Adana Demirspor
1
Besiktas
4
Tu00fcrkiye Super Lig 04/05/25
W
Fenerbahce
0
Besiktas
1
Tu00fcrkiye Super Lig 25/04/25
W
Hatayspor
1
Besiktas
5
Tu00fcrkiye Super Lig 19/04/25
D
Goztepe
1
Besiktas
1
Tu00fcrkiye Super Lig 12/04/25
L
Istanbul Basaksehir
2
Besiktas
0
Player to watch: Tammy Abraham
If Besiktas are to pull off a comeback on Thursday night, then they will more than likely need a big performance from their new striker, Tammy Abraham. The former Chelsea and Roma striker was quick to remind Shakhtar that the tie wasn't done yet in his post-match interview last week, and he will be desperate to make them regret their celebrations last week.