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Hoffenheim will be eager to turn their season around when they host Besiktas at PreZero Arena on Thursday for round two of the Europa League league phase.
Die Kraichgauer suffered a disappointing loss at Greek side OFI Crete on matchday one, while Kara Kartallar kicked off their own campaign with an emphatic victory over Marseille.
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.
Hoffenheim vs Besiktas key stats
- Over 2.5 goals has landed in six of Hoffenheim's seven games this season.
- Both teams have scored in five of Besiktas' last six matches.
- Hoffenheim have lost five of their last six matches.
- Besiktas have won five of their last six games.
- Over 2.5 goals has landed in each of Besiktas' last six games.
Hoffenheim vs Besiktas preview: Can the visitors exploit hosts' defensive uncertainty?
Hoffenheim vs Besiktas — Tale of the Tape
| Hoffenheim | vs | Besiktas |
|---|---|---|
| 12th (German Bundesliga) | Position | 2nd (Turkish Super Lig) |
| 6 | Points | 15 |
| 5 | Goals For | 16 |
| 15 | Goals Against | 8 |
| 0 | Clean Sheets | 2 |
| 12th (H) | Home / Away Rank | 11th (A) |
Hoffenheim's European campaign began with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to OFI Crete, a result that would have been particularly frustrating given that the German side entered the contest as strong favourites and largely controlled the proceedings.
Christian Ilzer's side have struggled to turn their spells of dominance into convincing results, with a 3-2 defeat to Hamburg at the weekend the latest of what has been a wretched run of form.
Hoffenheim have managed just one victory across their last five home Europa League matches, drawing twice and losing twice, a record that does not offer much confidence heading into Thursday.
Die Kraichgauer’s problems this season have been fuelled by a leaky defence that has conceded multiple goals in five of their last six outings.
Besiktas made an impressive statement on the opening matchday, when they swept aside Marseille 4-1 to establish themselves as an early attacking threat in the Europa League.
The Istanbul club had already built confidence through their qualifying campaign, winning five of their six ties and keeping clean sheets in each of those victories.
Orkun Kökcu could prove influential once again after providing two assists against Marseille, with the midfielder contributing nine goals and assists across 13 competitive appearances this season and offering the visitors an important creative outlet.
The visitors’ European away record remains a concern, however, as they have lost 10 of their last 13 major continental away matches.
Hoffenheim vs Besiktas form guide & betting tips
| Hoffenheim | vs | Besiktas |
|---|---|---|
LWLLL |
Form | WWWLW |
| 7 | Goals For | 13 |
| 12 | Goals Against | 6 |
L |
UEFA Europa League | W |
Whispers predicts: Hoffenheim 1-2 Besiktas
The hosts' corner numbers make over 4.5 Hoffenheim corners at 1.40 (2/5) an appealing option, while the attacking potential on the two sides makes both teams to score at 1.44 (4/9) worth considering.
Over 2.5 goals is also available at 1.44 (4/9), while Besiktas to score over 1.5 team goals at 2.20 (6/5) is a more ambitious alternative for those expecting the visitors to capitalise on Hoffenheim's defensive uncertainty.
Meanwhile, a 2-1 away win at 13.00 (12/1) offers a more speculative route to a potentially rewarding return.
> Over 4.5 Hoffenheim corners at 1.40 (2/5) | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS – Yes at 1.44 (4/9) | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 1.44 (4/9) | Likelihood: Probable
> Besiktas over 1.5 team goals at 2.20 (6/5) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score: Hoffenheim 1-2 Besiktas at 13.00 (12/1) | Likelihood: Outsider