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Hradec Kralove host Besiktas at FINEP Arena on Thursday evening in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie.
The Czech side have carried last season's momentum into the new campaign and now stand two matches away from reaching the main stage of a UEFA competition, while the Black Eagles are beginning to show encouraging signs under new head coach Vincenzo Italiano.
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.
Hradec Kralove vs Besiktas key stats
- Hradec Kralove have scored in each of their last seven home matches.
- Besiktas scored in both games against Midtjylland.
- Both teams have scored in each of the last four games involving Hradec Kralove.
Hradec Kralove vs Besiktas preview: Czech side looking to extend impressive home form
Hradec Kralove vs Besiktas — Tale of the Tape
| Hradec Kralove | vs | Besiktas |
|---|---|---|
| 6th in Czech First League | Position | N/A |
| 4 | Points | N/A |
| 2 | Goals For | N/A |
| 1 | Goals Against | N/A |
| 1 | Clean Sheets | N/A |
| 5th | Home / Away Rank | N/A |
Hradec Kralove have made an outstanding start to the new campaign and will approach one of the biggest European fixtures in the club's modern history with genuine confidence.
David Horejs' side reached this stage after producing an impressive 4-1 aggregate victory over Tromso — a disciplined 1-0 win in Norway gave them control of the tie before they completed the job with a convincing 3-1 success at FINEP Arena.
Their excellent home record has become one of their greatest strengths, with Hradec winning each of their last seven matches at FINEP Arena and have conceded only four goals during that period.
They have also opened the Czech First League season with four points from two matches after defeating Pardubice before drawing away to Bohemians.
Besiktas travel to the Czech Republic in excellent spirits after producing one of the most convincing displays of the previous qualifying round.
Vincenzo Italiano's men eliminated Midtjylland with a commanding 3-0 aggregate victory, following up a narrow first-leg success in Istanbul with an assured 2-0 away victory.
The Turkish giants appear to have embraced Italiano's attacking philosophy quickly, and their performances have reflected the optimism surrounding the Italian's arrival after replacing Sergen Yalcin.
Besiktas have also strengthened their squad during the summer transfer window and will view progression from this tie as another important step towards securing a return to the Europa League league phase.
Hradec Kralove vs Besiktas form guide & betting tips
| Hradec Kralove | vs | Besiktas |
|---|---|---|
D
W
W
W
D
|
Form | L
D
L
W
W
|
| 9 | Goals For | 7 |
| 5 | Goals Against | 6 |
W
W
|
Europa League Qualifiers | W
W
|
Whispers predicts: Hradec Kralove 1-2 Besiktas
Hradec Kralove have been outstanding at home and possess enough attacking quality to make life uncomfortable for the Turkish visitors, particularly with the backing of a passionate home crowd.
Besiktas, however, appear to be gathering momentum and carry greater experience at this level of European football. Both teams to score is available at 8/11 (1.73), while Besiktas are priced at 10/11 (1.91) to win.
> Both teams to score at 8/11 (1.73) | Likelihood: Probable
> Over 2.5 goals at 4/5 (1.80) | Likelihood: Probable
> Match result – Besiktas to win at 10/11 (1.91) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score – Hradec Kralove 1-2 Besiktas at 11/2 (6.50) | Likelihood: Outsider