Prediction: Besiktas vs Marseille

Two camps who will get their respective Europa League group stage adventures underway on Thursday night, Besiktas will welcome Marseille to Istanbul.

Ahead of a stacked midweek schedule from across Europe, there are plenty of attractive Europa League betting promotions available.

Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves

Besiktas

Starting with the hosts, punching their Europa League group stage ticket last month as they secured a 3-1 aggregate victory against Lithuanian outfit Kauno Zalgiris, Besiktas have certainly impressed since returning from the summer interval. Currently sat in silver medal finish among Turkey’s elite, Vincenzo Italiano’s men should find the mood in their camp at a real high. Extending on their eye-catching flurry over the weekend as they secured a routine 3-0 win at home against Erzumspor, the Back Eagles are riding a serious wave of momentum. Getting September underway with a famous 2-1 victory away at Turkish giants Fenerbahce, Besiktas have also impressed with their free-scoring performances in the final third. In fact, Thursday’s hosts have won their previous three consecutive domestic appearances by an aggregate score of 11-3.

While summer recruit and former Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic might have been forced to miss out last weekend after serving a domestic suspension, the Serbian international will be handed a full recall here. Likewise, making an immediate impact in Istanbul, fellow new arrival Leandro Trossard will partner Vlahovic in the final third.

Ahead of Thursday’s Europa League opener, Besiktas have reported a clean bill of health. Completing a permanent switch from Bayern Munich back in July, Alexander Nubel will start between the sticks in midweek.

Marseille

As for the visitors, while Marseille might have opened up the 2026/27 campaign with a thumping 4-0 victory at home against Strasbourg on August 21st, the French heavyweights have come crashing back down to earth in a worrying fashion. With the pressure on Bruno Genesio’s shoulders starting to reach a boiling point, Les Phoceens should be bracing themselves for another stern examination when they travel to Istanbul on Thursday night. Last seen over the weekend falling to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Rennes, Marseille have now lost all of their previous three consecutive Ligue 1 appearances by an aggregate score of 6-2. Likewise, opening September with a rollercoaster 3-2 defeat against Paris FC, Genesio’s downbeat squad have also shown some rather glaring defensive struggles on either side of the summer interval.

Both picking up recent knocks, Marseille are once again expected to be without the duo of Tochukwu Nnadi and one-time Atletico Madrid star Geoffrey Kondogbia on Thursday night.

Eventually staying put in France following intense summer speculation over a potential Premier League return, former Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg will start in the middle of the park. Notching four goals in as many Ligue 1 appearances so far this season, Algerian international Amine Gouiri will spearhead Marseille’s attack.

Besiktas vs Marseille Key Factors to Consider

• Thursday’s showdown in Istanbul is the first meeting between Besiktas and Marseille since the Black Eagles secured a 2-1 Champions League victory away back in November 2007.
• Besiktas have won their previous three consecutive domestic appearances by an aggregate score of 11-3.
• In fact, Besiktas have won all of their first six competitive matchups in Istanbul by an aggregate score of 15-2.
• Marseille have lost all of their previous three straight Ligue 1 showdowns by an aggregate score of 6-2.
• Les Phoeccens have recorded just a pair of clean sheets from their previous 10 domestic matchups on either side of the summer interval.

Losing each of their previous three consecutive Ligue 1 appearances and showing some extended defensive issues on either side of the summer interval, Marseille should be bracing themselves for a tricky Europa League opener on Thursday night. Watching Besiktas embark on a real purple patch since opening up the 2026/27 campaign, the Black Eagles have also gained quite the reputation for their extended dominance on home soil. Winning all of their first six competitive matchups in Istanbul by an aggregate score of 15-2, we could be treated to an enjoyable showdown here.

Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves

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