Besiktas vs Crystal Palace prediction, betting tips and team news: Beşiktaş welcome Crystal Palace to Tüpraş Stadyumu (Vodafone Park) in Istanbul on Thursday night for a UEFA Europa League matchday three clash, with kick-off set for 20:00 WAT. It is the first-ever meeting between the two clubs, and it arrives at a moment of sharp contrast — Beşiktaş are perfect in Europe this season, while Palace travel to Turkey in crisis after a derby humbling.
This Besiktas vs Crystal Palace prediction preview breaks down both teams’ recent form, key stats, team news and predicted lineups ahead of the 20:00 WAT kick-off in Istanbul, plus our three best betting tips for the match.
Beşiktaş vs Crystal Palace Match Preview
Beşiktaş have made a flawless start to their Europa League campaign, sitting on six points from two games after a 4-1 home win over Marseille and a 3-2 victory away at Hoffenheim. Istanbul at night is a fortress for the Black Eagles, and they will fancy their chances of making it three wins from three against English opposition. Thursday’s hosts have scored seven goals across their two European outings, and their attacking unit looks well equipped to exploit a fragile visiting defence.
Crystal Palace, by contrast, arrive in disarray. A 5-0 derby humbling at Brighton was their heaviest defeat of the season, they own the Premier League’s leakiest defence with 17 goals conceded, and a goalkeeping injury crisis has left Walter Benitez deputising for the doubtful Dean Henderson. Palace did beat Lech Poznan 4-0 in this competition, but their only European away day ended in a 3-2 defeat at Lyon — a result that offers Beşiktaş plenty of encouragement.
Team Recent Form
Beşiktaş — L-W-W-L-W
- 19 Oct: Trabzonspor 2-0 Beşiktaş
- 15 Oct: Hoffenheim 2-3 Beşiktaş (UEL)
- 11 Oct: Beşiktaş 2-1 Kocaelispor
- 20 Sep: Amedspor 3-2 Beşiktaş
- 17 Sep: Beşiktaş 4-1 Marseille (UEL)
Crystal Palace — L-L-W-L-D-W
- 18 Oct: Brighton 5-0 Crystal Palace
- 15 Oct: Lyon 3-2 Crystal Palace (UEL)
- 11 Oct: Crystal Palace 3-1 Nottingham Forest
- 3 Oct: lost to Bristol City in the EFL Cup (exact score unverified)
- 20 Sep: Leeds 0-0 Crystal Palace
- 17 Sep: Crystal Palace 4-0 Lech Poznan (UEL)
Key Stats
- Beşiktaş have scored seven goals in their two Europa League games.
- Crystal Palace have conceded 17 goals in the Premier League, the most in the division (footyaccumulators).
- This is the first-ever competitive meeting between the two clubs.
2-1 — Beşiktaş’s European momentum and the Istanbul crowd should overcome a Palace side low on confidence, but Palace’s front line can still trouble a defence that conceded twice at Hoffenheim.
That scoreline is our Besiktas vs Crystal Palace prediction for Thursday’s 20:00 WAT kick-off in Istanbul.
Beşiktaş vs Crystal Palace H2H
- This is the first-ever competitive meeting between Beşiktaş and Crystal Palace.
- The two clubs have no prior fixtures against each other in any competition.
- Beşiktaş are unbeaten at home in Europe this season — one game, a 4-1 win over Marseille.
- Palace’s only European away day so far ended in a 3-2 defeat at Lyon.
Pre Game Odds
- Beşiktaş win: 6/5
- Draw: 3/1
- Crystal Palace win: 11/5
Odds via mrfixitstips (20 Oct). Bet365 also price Beşiktaş at 11/10 and Beşiktaş over 1.5 goals at 8/11. Read mrfixitstips’ Beşiktaş vs Crystal Palace prediction and betting tips for more.
Team News Beşiktaş
- Milot Rashica is out with a muscle injury and is not in the UEL squad.
- Orkun Kokcu is out with a heel injury until early November.
- Vlahovic has recovered from illness and is available again.
Team News Crystal Palace
- Dean Henderson is doubtful with a foot injury, so Walter Benitez is likely to continue in goal.
- Ben Chilwell and Takehiro Tomiyasu are both doubtful.
- Chadi Riad is out long-term with a knee injury.
- Axel Disasi is available again after a domestic suspension.
- Mateta is a fitness concern but made a 30-minute cameo against Brighton — Khel Now tip him to start, while other sources list Strand Larsen.
Beşiktaş vs Crystal Palace Predicted Lineups
Beşiktaş possible XI (4-2-3-1, via mrfixitstips): Nubel; Murillo, Agbadou, Topcu, Ouattara; Ndidi, Fakili; Cerny, Trossard, Olaitan; Oh. Note that Khel Now offer a variant with Yilmaz at left-back, Ozcan holding in midfield and Vlahovic up front, so there is some uncertainty at left-back, in midfield and up front.
Crystal Palace possible XI (3-4-2-1, via mrfixitstips): Benitez; Canvot, Richards, Ahanor; Khalaili, Wharton, Timber, Mitchell; Kamada, Pino; Strand Larsen. Note that Khel Now name Mateta instead of Strand Larsen, with Mateta tipped to start after his cameo against Brighton.
Beşiktaş vs Crystal Palace Betting Tips
Our Besiktas vs Crystal Palace prediction comes with three betting tips for Thursday’s match:
Tip 1 – Result: Beşiktaş win. The Turkish side’s perfect European record and formidable home support should prove too much for a Palace team in crisis.
Tip 2 – Over/Under 2.5 goals: Over 2.5 goals. Beşiktaş’s two Europa League games have produced 12 goals, and Palace own the Premier League’s leakiest defence.
Tip 3 – BTTS (Yes/No): Yes. Palace’s front line can still trouble a Beşiktaş defence that conceded twice at Hoffenheim.
For more on Palace’s European form, read our Lyon vs Crystal Palace prediction and preview.
