Besiktas vs Athletic Bilbao Prediction 22.01.2025 | Europa League
Besiktas
Kick off:
Date:
Athletic Bilbao
1
4.10
X
4.00
2
1.75
Contents
- Competition: UEFA Europa League - Matchweek 7
- Date: Wednesday, 22nd, January 2025
- Kickoff: 15:30 UK / 16:30 CEST
- Venue: Tupras Stadium (Istanbul)
On a mission to stay in the playoff race, Besiktas prepares to host Athletic Bilbao in a crucial UEFA Europa League clash at Tupras Stadium this Wednesday.
In a surprising turn of events, Besiktas are now on the edge of being knocked out of the opening phase of the UEFA Europa League, a result of a dismal showing, where they managed to pick up a paltry six points from six outings. A disappointing European campaign and struggles in the domestic league have led the Istanbul club's management to part ways with Serdar Topraktepe, appointing former Manchester United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who will be eager to make an immediate statement in his debut.
On the other hand, Athletic Bilbao have displayed eye-catching form in Europe this season, fueled by a strong desire to claim silverware, and the fact that their San Mames will be the venue for this year's Europa League final adds an extra layer of incentive for a deep campaign. After being held to a 1-1 draw at AS Roma on the opening day, the Basque club produced a brilliant response since then to make it five consecutive wins over AZ, Slavia Prague, Ludogorets, Eflsborg, and Fener last time out, thus sealing their spot in the knockout phase.
Besiktas vs Athletic Bilbao Betting Tips: 1X (DOUBLE CHANCE)
The Basque club enters as slight favorites, but we believe the Black Eagles should not be underestimated, as they have enough quality to claim a positive outcome that would keep their top-24 finish hopes alive. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer takes charge of Besiktas in an invigorated form, as the black-whites have put together a five-game unbeaten run (W2 D3), and the former Man Utd boss will aim to extend it and make a positive impression on his debut. Already qualified for the last-16 round, Athletic Bilbao have shown a decline in their recent performances, as their narrow 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao marks their first victory of 2025 after going three matches without a win (D1 L2). In order to continue their European campaign into the knockout stages, Besiktas will need a strong finish to the league phase, and we can see them managing to grab a point against the Basque Lions, who have recently lost their rhythm.
Besiktas team news
Besiktas continues to manage without their defensive quartet of Tayyip Talha Sanuc, Gabriel Paulista, Necip Uysal, and Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov, all of whom are still recovering, with their returns expected next month.
Eager to make an impressive start to his tenure, newly appointed coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is expected to deploy Ciro Immobile as the central striker, with support from Rashica, Mario, and Rafa.
Last matches of Besiktas
-
Besiktas
0 : 0
Samsunspor
Super Lig
-
Besiktas
2 : 1
Bodrumspor
Super Lig
-
Sivasspor
0 : 1
Besiktas
Turkish Cup
-
Rizespor
1 : 1
Besiktas
Super Lig
-
Besiktas
1 : 1
Alanyaspor
Super Lig
Besiktas lineup
Goalkeeper
-
34
Mert Günok
Defenders
-
26
Arthur Masuaku
-
14
Felix Uduokhai
-
53
Emirhan Topçu
-
2
Jonas Svensson
Midfielders
-
83
Gedson Fernandes
-
6
Moatasem Al-Musrati
-
7
Milot Rashica
-
18
João Mário
-
27
Rafa
Forwards
-
17
Ciro Immobile
Athletic Bilbao team news
On the other hand, Athletic Bilbao's attacking line will be slightly weakened by the absence of their joint-top scorer, Oihan Sancet, who is set to miss his fifth consecutive match due to an ankle injury.
With his team already securing a direct spot in the last-16, head coach Ernesto Valverde might opt for a few changes to the starting XI, with Alex Berenguer potentially being placed between the Williams brothers.
Last matches of Athletic Bilbao
-
Celta Vigo
1 : 2
Athletic Bilbao
La Liga
-
Athletic Bilbao
2 : 3
Osasuna
Copa Del Rey
-
Athletic Bilbao
0 : 2
FC Barcelona
Super Cup
-
UD Logroñés
3 : 4
Athletic Bilbao
Copa Del Rey
-
Osasuna
1 : 2
Athletic Bilbao
La Liga
Athletic Bilbao lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Unai Simón
Defenders
-
17
Yuri Berchiche
-
4
Aitor Paredes
-
3
Dani Vivian
-
18
Óscar de Marcos
Midfielders
-
16
Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta
-
23
Mikel Jauregizar
-
10
Nico Williams
-
7
Álex Berenguer
-
9
Iñaki Williams
Forwards
-
12
Gorka Guruzeta
3 Reasons why we expect 1X (Double chance)
- Besiktas have remained unbeaten in the last five competitive matches (W2 D3).
- Athletic Bilbao are in decline, winning only one match out of four in 2025.
- Besiktas have beaten Athletic Bilbao 3-1 the last time the two teams met in Istanbul.
Main prediction Besiktas - Athletic Bilbao
Besiktas win or draw (1X)
Best Odds:
22Bet
2
Additional predictions
Besiktas & Athletic Bilbao current standing in Europa League
| League Stage | P | W | D | L |
G - A
|
GD | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lazio | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 14 - 3 | +11 | 16 |
| 2 | Athletic Club | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 11 - 2 | +9 | 16 |
| 3 | Anderlecht | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 11 - 6 | +5 | 14 |
| 4 | Olympique Lyonnais | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 15 - 7 | +8 | 13 |
| 5 | Galatasaray | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 18 - 14 | +4 | 13 |
| 6 | Eintracht Frankfurt | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 12 - 8 | +4 | 13 |
| 7 | Manchester United | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 12 - 8 | +4 | 12 |
| 8 | Rangers | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 13 - 7 | +6 | 11 |
| 9 | Tottenham Hotspur | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 11 - 7 | +4 | 11 |
| 10 | FCSB | 6 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 - 5 | +2 | 11 |
| 11 | Ajax | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 14 - 6 | +8 | 10 |
| 12 | Real Sociedad | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 - 6 | +4 | 10 |
| 13 | Bodø / Glimt | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 - 9 | +1 | 10 |
| 14 | Roma | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8 - 5 | +3 | 9 |
| 15 | Olympiacos F.C. | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 - 3 | +2 | 9 |
| 16 | Ferencvárosi | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 11 - 10 | +1 | 9 |
| 17 | Viktoria Plzeň | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 10 - 9 | +1 | 9 |
| 18 | Porto | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 - 10 | +2 | 8 |
| 19 | AZ | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 - 9 | 0 | 8 |
| 20 | Union Saint-Gilloise | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 - 5 | 0 | 8 |
| 21 | Fenerbahçe | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 - 9 | -2 | 8 |
| 22 | PAOK | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 10 - 8 | +2 | 7 |
| 23 | FC Midtjylland | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 - 7 | -2 | 7 |
| 24 | Elfsborg | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 - 11 | -3 | 7 |
| 25 | Sporting Braga | 6 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 - 10 | -3 | 7 |
| 26 | TSG Hoffenheim | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 - 8 | -3 | 6 |
| 27 | Maccabi Tel Aviv | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 7 - 13 | -6 | 6 |
| 28 | Beşiktaş | 6 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 6 - 13 | -7 | 6 |
| 29 | Slavia Praha | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 5 - 7 | -2 | 4 |
| 30 | FC Twente | 6 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 4 - 7 | -3 | 4 |
| 31 | Malmö FF | 6 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 - 12 | -6 | 4 |
| 32 | Ludogorets | 6 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 - 8 | -5 | 3 |
| 33 | Qarabağ | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 - 14 | -10 | 3 |
| 34 | Rīgas FS | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 - 12 | -7 | 2 |
| 35 | Nice | 6 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 - 14 | -8 | 2 |
| 36 | Dynamo Kyiv | 7 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 4 - 18 | -14 | 1 |