Europa League, Qualification, 2nd Round, First Leg, Thursday, 24.07.2025 at 20:00
It’s a duel that could easily take place in the Champions League group stage – but we are actually only in the second round of the Europa League qualifiers. Besiktas and Shakhtar Donetsk will face each other.
It’s a clash of experience, but who is in better form at this early stage of the season? For the first ever direct duel, I’ve opted for the double chance X2 in my Besiktas Shakhtar Donetsk tip. And not just because the visitors have a Turkish coach…
Disappointing – for the second time in a row. Besiktas was not at all satisfied with the 2024/25 season, with the Black Eagles having nothing to do with the championship decision.
The Europa League ended in the group stage, the cup was over in the quarterfinals, and the fans experienced one disappointment after another. Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who arrived in Istanbul in January 2025, was nevertheless allowed to stay.
However, there was no money for big transfers. With Felix Uduokhai, we at least know one prominent newcomer who previously played for the Eagles on loan from Augsburg. But Uduokhai is not the biggest name, of course; that is undoubtedly Tammy Abraham, who is on loan.
Together with Joao Mario (already on loan), Orkun Kökcü, and David Jurasek, the new signings are looking to get Besiktas back on track. In return, Ciro Immobile has left for Bologna, and Jackson Mukela is also no longer in the squad.
Nevertheless, the club from the Bosporus should have put together a powerful squad to face Shakhtar Donetsk for the first time ever – hard to believe, considering how often the two clubs have crossed paths in Europe.
The Black Eagles have faced Dynamo Kiev twelve times. Is it a bad omen that they have only managed four wins (with two draws and six defeats)?
As the new season in the Süper Lig does not start for a few days, we will have to look at the friendly matches to get an idea of the team’s form. The really big opponents were not among their opponents.
Besiktas won 2-0 against St. Pölten – but then the winning streak came to an end. They only managed a 1-1 draw against Admira Wacker and lost 2-3 to Wolfsberg.
It wasn’t to be their only defeat, as the match against Petrzalka ended 1-2. What’s striking is that in both of these games, they conceded two goals before the break.
Accordingly, it could be worth betting on the Ukrainian visitors to score in the first half. Oddset offers odds of 2.15 for this outcome.
Of course, I have one more thing to mention about Oddset, and that’s the new customer bonus. Anyone who registers here for the first time can look forward to additional support of up to $100.
Ultimately, Besiktas is the favorite going into the match, but the lead is rather small with average odds of 2.35 to 2.75. Of course, everyone knows what Shakhtar Donetsk has been up to in Europe in recent years.
The first stage of the Champions League is actually a sure thing for the Ukrainians; since the 2010/11 season, there has only been one season in which Shakhtar did not make it through the preliminary round.
However, I must also point out that Donetsk has almost always qualified directly for the competition during this period. But since they only finished third in the league in 2024/25, the team now has to go through the arduous qualifying process, and that “only” in the Europa League.
They started in the first round with two matches against Ilves. After a 6-0 gala performance in the first leg, Shakhtar took it easy in the second match, with the 0-0 draw having no further significance.
There is a very interesting new addition to the Ukrainian side: coach Arda Turan has signed on! The 38-year-old is one of the most successful Turkish ex-players of recent years. As a former Galatasaray star, he will certainly want to hurt Besiktas.
However, there was no money available for new signings, so Turan will have to work with the existing squad. Shakhtar has played against Turkish teams nine times so far – with eight wins, one draw, and one defeat, the record could hardly be better!
Will everything really be better for Besiktas this season? After a rather mixed preseason, I’m honestly very skeptical. Things aren’t really coming together yet, but I see it differently at Shakhtar Donetsk.
The first qualifying round was survived without any mishaps, with Donetsk dominating their opponents. I also find it very interesting that Arda Turin, former Galatasaray star, is now on the sidelines at Shakhtar.
All in all, I don’t think the Black Eagles will start their European campaign with a win. Since Shakhtar have never lost to Turkish teams, my final prediction is:
Shakhtar will not lose the first leg!
