Besiktas vs Crystal Palace prediction: Hosts backed to make it three Europa League wins in a row
Besiktas welcome Crystal Palace to Istanbul on Friday for a Europa League fixture that gives both clubs a chance to respond to disappointing domestic results. The Turkish side arrive with stronger European momentum, having won their opening two matches, while Palace are looking to recover from a heavy Premier League defeat and avoid a second consecutive loss in the competition.
Our football prediction favours Besiktas to score first and claim all three points on home soil. Crystal Palace have attacking quality, however, and Yeremy Pino could remain a worthwhile option in the anytime goalscorer market. A 3-1 home victory is the predicted scoreline.
Best bets for Besiktas vs Crystal Palace
First team to score: Besiktas at 1.75 with Stake
Match result: Besiktas to win at 2.09 with Stake
Anytime goalscorer: Yeremy Pino at 4.40 with Stake
Odds are subject to change. Betting involves risk, so consider your circumstances and gamble responsibly.
Besiktas vs Crystal Palace prediction and match outlook
Score prediction: Besiktas 3-1 Crystal Palace
Besiktas goalscorer picks: Dusan Vlahovic, Leandro Trossard and Oh Hyeon-gyu
Crystal Palace goalscorer pick: Yeremy Pino
Besiktas have made a confident start to their Europa League campaign, scoring seven goals across victories over Marseille and Hoffenheim. Their 4-1 opening win against Marseille announced their attacking potential, while a 3-2 success against Hoffenheim showed they can find a way through even when a match becomes more closely contested.
The European results have provided a welcome lift for Vincenzo Italiano’s team, whose domestic campaign suffered a setback at the weekend. Besiktas lost 2-0 away to Trabzonspor, dropping points in the Turkish Super Lig race. Still, their strong continental form places them among the sides aiming to begin the competition with three wins from three matches. A home fixture offers an opportunity to restore momentum quickly.
Crystal Palace also need a response, but their recent mood is less encouraging. They were beaten 5-0 by Brighton in a damaging Premier League result, leaving new manager Pierre Sage with the task of rebuilding confidence. Palace sit 14th after seven league matches and have little room to let a poor run grow, particularly with the teams below them close in the table.
Europe has offered some brighter moments. Palace opened with a 4-0 win over Lech Poznan, but a 3-2 defeat to Lyon followed. That result exposed the fine margins in their campaign: the Eagles have enough pace and creativity to trouble opponents, yet they have not consistently controlled matches at the back. Another defeat would make this a difficult trip both competitively and psychologically.
Why Besiktas could score first
The first-goal market is an appealing angle because Besiktas have repeatedly started strongly at home. The Black Eagles have opened the scoring in each of their last nine matches in front of their own supporters across all competitions. Their Europa League attack has also been particularly productive, averaging 3.5 goals per match so far.
Palace’s away form points in the opposite direction. They have conceded the opening goal in four of their five road matches this season, while their latest run has included early setbacks that forced them to chase games. That pattern could be costly in Istanbul, where the home crowd is likely to create an intense atmosphere from the opening whistle.
Besiktas have also scored first in three of their last five outings overall. Their ability to turn possession and forward pressure into an early breakthrough makes the hosts a logical choice in this market. Palace can still threaten on the counter, but they may have to do so while trying to recover from an early deficit.
Besiktas vs Crystal Palace betting tip: Besiktas to score first at 1.75 with Stake.
Home advantage strengthens the Besiktas win prediction
Besiktas have won their last four continental matches at home, a run that should give them belief ahead of Palace’s visit. A victory would also mark a significant start to their European campaign, with the club seeking three wins from their first three matches in the competition’s main phase for the first time since 2017-18.
Palace, by contrast, have won only one of five away matches this season and lost three. They have also suffered defeats in three of their last four outings, including consecutive setbacks. The combination of Besiktas’ home form and Palace’s recent defensive vulnerability makes the 1X2 home win a reasonable football prediction, even though the visitors have enough talent to make the contest competitive.
There is no direct history between the clubs to guide the assessment. Besiktas have faced English opposition before, losing both meetings with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 2019-20 season, while Palace’s previous Turkish test came against Samsunspor in the 1998 Intertoto Cup, when they lost both legs. Those results offer limited insight into Friday’s match, but underline that the Istanbul trip will be a demanding one for the visitors.
Besiktas vs Crystal Palace betting tip: Besiktas to win at 2.09 with Stake.
Yeremy Pino offers value in the goalscorer market
Backing a Palace player to score may seem at odds with a home-win prediction, but Pino has shown he can make an impact even when his team is under pressure. The Spanish attacker scored Palace’s first goal against Lyon and has found the net twice in his first two Europa League appearances.
Operating in an advanced role behind the main striker, Pino can exploit spaces between the opposing defence and midfield. That positioning could be useful if Palace need to attack on the break or respond after falling behind. He has also scored twice across his last three appearances for the South London club, giving him a credible route to a goal in Istanbul.
A Pino strike would not necessarily change the overall outlook. Palace have lost three of the last five matches in which he has scored, including the recent European defeat to Lyon. His individual threat may therefore be worth considering alongside a Besiktas win, rather than as evidence that the visitors are likely to take control.
Besiktas vs Crystal Palace betting tip: Yeremy Pino to score anytime at 4.40 with Stake.
Expected lineups
Besiktas: Nubel; Murillo, Agbadou, Topcu, Ouattara; Ndidi, Kokcu; Fakili, Olaitan, Trossard; Vlahovic.
Crystal Palace: Benitez; Richards, Disasi, Canvot; Mingueza, Wharton, Timber, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Larsen.
Final Besiktas vs Crystal Palace prediction
Besiktas have the more convincing recent European record, a strong home scoring trend and a clear incentive to preserve their perfect start. Palace’s attacking players should not be underestimated, especially Pino, but their away results and defensive struggles make this a difficult assignment. The main prediction is a Besiktas win, with the hosts expected to score first and both teams capable of finding the net.
