Besiktas host Malmo on Thursday night in a do or die fixture for both sides as they attempt to qualify for the Europa League knockout stage.
Besiktas sit second in Group I, just one point behind leaders Genk and one point ahead of third-place Malmo. Every team in Group I is still in the running for knockout round qualification and two clubs will book their ticket to the next stage on Thursday.
Malmo defeated Besiktas in their previous meeting on matchday 2 in Sweden. The Swedish club was 2-0 winners thanks to a Besiktas own goal and penalty scored by Markus Rosenberg. Since winning against Besiktas, Malmo have gone three games without a win, drawing their last three Europa League matches. Just one of those three fixtures have seen over 2.5 goals scored.
Besiktas are undefeated in their last two Europa League games. Their last fixture against Sarpsborg saw the Turkish team come from behind to win 3-2 thanks to a 90th minute goal from Jeremain Lens. Besiktas have the momentum going into the fixture thanks to that late winner and their current Turkish league play. Malmo haven’t played a competitive fixture since November 29th when they drew 2-2 with Genk. The Swedish club finished its domestic campaign on November 11th with a third-place finish in the Allsvenskan.
Malmo will go into the fixture ready to attack Besiktas. They will feel confident having beaten Besiktas previously. However, due to not playing since late November, the Swedes will be rusty. They must win to go through, therefore, manager Uwe Rosler will deploy his side to go forward early and often. Malmo have won three of five all-time meetings against Besiktas and have not lost in Istanbul when playing the Eagles.
The Turkish giants are the sportsbooks’ favourite going into the fixture. Both teams have scored goals, but more importantly, neither has kept them out in Group I. Besiktas have a –1-goal difference while Malmo have recorded a 0-goal difference. Three of Besiktas’ games have seen over 2.5 goals.
Besiktas are undefeated in their last three league fixtures. Two of the three have ended in wins. Besiktas have recovered from a slow start and are now third in the league in goals scored (25). Striker Ryan Babel has been rejuvenated since joining Besiktas. He has scored four goals in 14 games in all competitions. Lens has scored four times with three coming in the Europa League.
Malmo must win but they will be open at the back as they push players forward to score. Besiktas will get the goal they need and seal their progression to the next round with a win.