Thursday, August 9, at 19:00, Turkish club Basaksehir Istanbul continues its European adventure with a home run with the English at Burnley. The match counts for the first leg of the Preliminary Round III of the UEFA Europa League, and the hosts are favorites, with a 1.95 victory. Burnley is still far from being a strong continental band.
In the “Fatih Terim” arena, the atmosphere will be very pressing for Burnley. Without the experience of European matches and without the goalkeeper Pope (present at CM 2018), Sean Dyche’s band will be dominated by a technically superior team. At this point, Basaksehir may also be better physically in view of summer training. For Burnley, the Premier League season begins next weekend.
Baseksehir had strong pics this summer, with foreign black-and-white players coming out on the ramp. I saw results 3-2 with UFA, 2-0 with Eibar and 1-1 with Bayer Leverkusen, but also less successful matches, in which the reserves got the chance to play: 1-3 with Stuttgart and 0-1 with Akhmat Groznai. Burnley comes after a 0-2 lack of brilliance, in the friendly match with Espanyol Barcelona, who followed the “double” with Aberdeen in the preliminary round 2.
Turan, Arda, Elia and Adebayor play for Istanbul BB.
To reach this stage, Burnley needed extra time on “Turf Moor,” with Aberdeen scots, after 1-1 in the tour and 1-1 after 90 minutes at home. It was a lucky skill, and Burnley showed many defensive weaknesses during the 180 minutes. Istanbul Basaksehirspor, coached by Abdullah Avci, has finished last season in Turkey and has super players at its disposal: Clichy, Emre, Visca, Elia, Adebayor, Arda Turan, Chedjou, Torun, Inler or Junior Caicara. So, the host team is clearly superior!
Last season, Istanbul BB played in the UEFA Europa League and made a beautiful figure, even though it missed the qualification in front of Hoffenheim, Braga and Ludogorets. The Turks have invested a lot lately and do not want to miss the qualification in front of an opponent who has not yet convinced the European scene and who does not have the qualities needed to dominate the game. That is why it is very possible to see a success of Basaksehir, who will have the initiative, the possession and the support of the tribunes.
PREDICTION: Basaksehir to win @ 2.05
