Besiktas must enter Turkey in the second round of the Europa League as number four of last season. The first opponent is B36 Torshavn, from the Faroe Islands, which has been active in Europe since the end of June.
B36 Torshavn:
B36 Torshavn comes from the capital of the Faeroe Islands, an archipelago within the Kingdom of Denmark, located to the north of England. Because the islands have only 50,000 inhabitants, no major football performances can be expected from the islands.
B36 Torshavn is not even a superpower in its own country. Last season (the season on the Faroe Islands runs from April to October), the team finished in third place, which qualified for the qualification of the Europa League. Right: B36 Torshavn played a play-off against Saint Josephs from Gibraltar at the end of June with a place in the first qualifying round of the Europa League. This diptych was won, allowing Torshavn to play against OFK Titograd in the first preliminary round.
This diptych was also settled. In home, there was no score, but in Montenegro the team of Jakup Borg triumphed with 1-2, allowing B36 to take on the big Besiktas.
In their own country, things are not going too well with B36. After 15 games, the gap at leader HB Torshavn is already 12 points.
Besiktas:
The title race in Turkey was unusually exciting last season. Champion Galatasaray only had four points more than Besiktas. Because Fenerbahce and Istanbul Basaksehirspor also ended up, Besiktas has to enter this round in the second round of the Europa League.
Last season, the Black Eagles had a fairly successful European campaign. The team of coach Senol Gunes survived a Champions League group with AS Monaco, RB Leipzig and FC Porto. In the knockout phase Bayern Munich was however much too strong (0-5 and 1-3).
The selection of Besiktas is still largely intact. The real fireworks on the transfer market have not yet exploded with the Black Eagles. No strongholder has left (despite Domagoj Vida being in the spotlight of many European top clubs). On the other hand, no big names have been welcomed in Istanbul.
The above means that Ryan Babel is still under contract with Besiktas. The Amsterdammer was close to a transition to the Brazilian Flamengo, but this transfer ended at the last moment. Presumably he will also be back in the base, perhaps together with Jeremain Lens.
World Cup-goers Vida, Pepe and Quaresma are most likely spared.
PREDICTION: Over 2.5 goals @ 1.65
