Get ready for a cracking UEFA Europa League showdown, as Besiktas take on Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of the Second Qualifying Round. With two former stars, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Arda Turan, pulling the strings, this clash at Tüpraş Stadium promises fireworks, and I’m here to break down why it’s a must-watch.
Kickoff is set for 18:00 GMT+0 on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at Tüpraş Stadium in Istanbul, which holds 42,590 fans and will be buzzing for this one. Bulgarian referee Georgi Kabakov will oversee the match, ensuring it stays under control. This UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying Round tie is a pivotal moment for both sides, with the winner advancing to face either Rangers or Panathinaikos next.
Betting Tips and Match Insights
Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of this Besiktas vs Shakhtar Donetsk prediction today. Both teams have had mixed prep for this tie, with Besiktas stumbling in friendlies and Shakhtar cruising through an earlier qualifying round. Looking at their recent form gives us a sense of who’s got the edge. Past head-to-heads also offer clues, though they’re mostly friendlies, so context is key. Stick with me as we unpack the numbers and trends to guide your betting.
Besiktas Results
Besiktas, under Solskjaer’s guidance, ended last season with a flourish but fell short of a top-three Super Lig spot. Their summer friendlies exposed some rust, yet the Tüpraş faithful will expect a gear shift for this crucial tie. Let’s check their last five matches to see what’s cooking.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 17/07/25 | Friendly | Besiktas vs Petrzalka | 1-2 | L |
| 16/07/25 | Friendly | Wolfsberger AC vs Besiktas | 3-2 | L |
| 13/07/25 | Friendly | Admira vs Besiktas | 1-1 | D |
| 10/07/25 | Friendly | St. Polten vs Besiktas | 0-2 | W |
| 01/06/25 | Super Lig | Bodrumspor vs Besiktas | 0-4 | W |
Besiktas’s recent form is a mixed bag, with two wins, a draw, and two losses in their last five. The heavy 4-0 league win over Bodrumspor shows their attacking bite, but back-to-back friendly losses to Petrzalka and Wolfsberger raise questions about defensive solidity. Their home form, especially in big matches, tends to be strong, which could be a factor here. New signings like Orkun Kokcu and Tammy Abraham add quality, suggesting they can turn it on when it counts. Still, those friendly stumbles hint at potential vulnerabilities against a sharp counter-attacking side.
Shakhtar Donetsk Results
Shakhtar, led by Arda Turan, are no strangers to European nights, but their coefficient drop means they’re slogging through qualifiers this time. Their demolition of Ilves shows they’re in goal-scoring mood, but this step up in class will test them. Here’s how their last five matches stack up.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result | Outcome |
| 18/07/25 | Friendly | Shakhtar Donetsk vs Triglav | 0-1 | L |
| 17/07/25 | UEFA EL | Ilves vs Shakhtar Donetsk | 0-0 | D |
| 11/07/25 | Friendly | Grosuplje vs Shakhtar Donetsk | 0-5 | W |
| 10/07/25 | UEFA EL | Shakhtar Donetsk vs Ilves | 6-0 | W |
| 06/07/25 | Friendly | Shakhtar Donetsk vs Slovacko | 1-1 | D |
Shakhtar’s form shows serious attacking intent, especially that 6-0 thrashing of Ilves at home. Their draw in the return leg suggests they can tighten up when needed, but the friendly loss to Triglav exposes some inconsistency. Alisson’s scoring spree against Ilves proves they’ve got firepower, yet facing Besiktas’s bolstered squad on the road is a different beast. Their ability to nick results in tough spots will be tested in Istanbul. Expect them to lean on their pacey forwards to exploit any defensive lapses.
Besiktas vs Shakhtar Donetsk Head-to-Head
These two have crossed paths a few times, mostly in friendlies, so competitive stakes add a new layer to this rivalry. Their last meeting saw Shakhtar edge out a 1-0 win, but that was a low-stakes summer game. Let’s look at their five most recent clashes.
| Date | Competition | Matchup | Result |
| 17/07/24 | Friendly | Besiktas vs Shakhtar Donetsk | 0-1 |
| 12/07/18 | Friendly | Besiktas vs Shakhtar Donetsk | 0-0 |
| 14/11/13 | Friendly | Besiktas vs Shakhtar Donetsk | 1-4 |
| 09/07/12 | Friendly | Shakhtar Donetsk vs Besiktas | 2-1 |
| 10/07/09 | Friendly | Shakhtar Donetsk vs Besiktas | 3-2 |
Shakhtar have had the upper hand historically, winning four of the last five friendlies, with one draw. Besiktas’s lone goal in these matches came in 2013, a worrying sign for their fans. Still, friendlies don’t carry the same weight as this UEFA Europa League clash, and Besiktas’s home advantage could flip the script.
Predicted Starting Lineups for Besiktas vs Shakhtar Donetsk
Besiktas Predicted Lineup
Besiktas, under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, are expected to field a strong side, leveraging their summer signings to dominate at home in this crucial UEFA Europa League tie.
Gunok (GK), Svensson (DF), Gabriel (DF), Uduokhai (DF), Jurasek (DF), Kokcu (MF), Tiknaz (MF), Yilmaz (MF), Silva (FW), Abraham (FW), Mario (FW).
Shakhtar Donetsk Predicted Lineup
Shakhtar Donetsk, led by Arda Turan, will likely stick with the core of their squad that dismantled Ilves, aiming to counter Besiktas’s attacking threat.
Riznyk (GK), Konoplya (DF), Bondar (DF), Matviienko (DF), Henrique (DF), Gomes (MF), Bondarenko (MF), Sudakov (MF), Alisson (FW), Elias (FW), Kevin (FW).
Key Factors to Watch
As we break down this Besiktas vs Shakhtar Donetsk match prediction, several elements could swing the game. Both teams have strengths and weaknesses that bettors need to weigh carefully. Here’s what to keep an eye on.
- Besiktas’s new signings: Orkun Kokcu, Tammy Abraham, and Joao Mario bring fresh quality, potentially overwhelming Shakhtar’s defense;
- Shakhtar’s attacking threat: Alisson’s recent hat-trick heroics against Ilves show he’s in form, ready to punish any mistakes;
- Besiktas’s home advantage: Tüpraş Stadium’s raucous crowd could rattle Shakhtar, who’ve struggled in tough away games;
- Shakhtar’s away form: Their draw at Ilves shows resilience, but a loss to Triglav suggests cracks under pressure;
- Injury concerns: Besiktas’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is sidelined, thinning their midfield options;
- Tactical battle: Solskjaer’s attacking setup versus Turan’s counter-attacking style could lead to an open game;
- Recent form swings: Besiktas’s friendly losses raise red flags, while Shakhtar’s 6-0 win shows they can dominate;
- Stake of the tie: Both teams know a strong first-leg result is crucial, likely pushing them to go all-out.
Free Tips on Besiktas vs Shakhtar Donetsk
For the Besiktas vs Shakhtar Donetsk clash in the UEFA Europa League Second Qualifying Round, smart betting means digging into the details that could sway the outcome. This list highlights key areas to focus on, drawing from past performances and critical match factors. Here are five tips to sharpen your betting strategy for this Istanbul showdown.
- Historical scoring trends: Shakhtar’s 4-1 and 3-2 friendly wins over Besiktas suggest high-scoring games when these two meet, so consider bets on total goals;
- Player fatigue from schedules: Shakhtar’s recent qualifiers and friendlies, including a trip to Finland, might leave them leggy compared to Besiktas, who’ve had a lighter competitive load;
- Referee tendencies: Georgi Kabakov’s history of strict officiating could mean more cards, especially in a heated European tie, making over 3.5 cards a potential bet;
- Pitch and weather impact: Tüpraş Stadium’s natural grass pitch, if wet from Istanbul’s July rain, could slow Shakhtar’s quick passing game, favoring Besiktas’s physical style;
- Betting value in underdogs: Shakhtar’s recent 6-0 thrashing of Ilves shows their attacking spark, so a double-chance bet on them could offer value if Besiktas slip up.
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Besiktas vs Shakhtar Donetsk Prediction 2025
For this Besiktas vs Shakhtar Donetsk prediction 2025, I’m leaning toward a home win, but it won’t be a walkover. Besiktas’s summer spending spree, bringing in talents like Kokcu and Abraham, gives them a clear edge in quality and depth. Their 4-0 rout of Bodrumspor in June showed what they’re capable of when firing, and playing at Tüpraş Stadium, with 42,590 fans roaring, adds a massive boost. Shakhtar’s 6-0 demolition of Ilves was impressive, but that was against weaker opposition, and their friendly loss to Triglav hints at vulnerabilities on the road. Alisson and Sudakov can cause problems, especially on the counter, but Besiktas’s defense, anchored by Gabriel and Uduokhai, should hold firm. The Besiktas vs Shakhtar Donetsk odds reflect this, with the hosts favored, and I see them capitalizing on their attacking options to secure a lead in this first leg. Expect a tight game, but Besiktas’s firepower and home energy should tip the scales. A 2-0 scoreline feels right, with both teams creating chances but Besiktas converting theirs.
Our Prediction: Besiktas 2-0 Shakhtar Donetsk
| Prediction Type | Prediction | Odds |
| Match Result | Besiktas Win | 2.32 |
| Both Teams to Score | No | 2.0 |
| Total Goals | Under 2.5 | 1.85 |
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