Preview: Shakhtar Donetsk vs Besiktas - prediction, team news, lineups

Shakhtar Donetsk will take a healthy lead into the second leg of their Europa League Second Qualifying Round tie with Besiktas on Thursday night.

The Ukrainian giants won 4-2 away in Istanbul last week, and are now the favourites to progress to face either Rangers or Panathinaikos in the next round.

Match preview

This was billed as the tie of the round before Thursday, and it lived up to that tag, as the first leg in Turkey last week produced a thrilling six-goal affair which went in Shakhtar’s favour.

Now managed by Arda Turan, Shakhtar had their new Brazilian contingent to thank for the first-leg success, with Kevin’s 96th-minute goal being potentially crucial, handing them a two-goal lead heading into the return here in neutral Krakow.

It has been a struggle for Shakhtar since the outbreak of war with Russia, as they have lost numerous star players, and the nation’s coefficient has fallen following the drop off in performances from Ukrainian clubs.

That means Turan’s men had to begin in the first round of qualifying, despite winning the domestic cup last season, but Ilves were no match for Shakhtar, as they ran out 6-0 winners on aggregate.

Shakhtar’s league campaign does not begin until next month against Episentr on August 3, so they have not had to worry about any domestic matters in between these two legs.

The same is true for Besiktas too, as they do not get their Super Lig campaign underway until a week later against Kayserispor, but their Europa League hopes could be over by then.

Rafa Silva in action for Besiktas on November 2, 2024

Missing out on third place to Samsunspor means instead of entering at the playoff stage, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men had to start here in the second round, and they were handed a very difficult tie to start.

Last season, they beat Lugano 8-4 on aggregate to reach the league phase of this competition, and another high-scoring affair will be required for them to turn their current deficit around.

With huge moves made in the transfer market though, this will be a huge blow if they fall out of the Europa League so early, so there will be a fair chunk of pressure on the visitors this Thursday.

Shakhtar Donetsk Europa League form:

W D W

Besiktas Europa League form:

Team News

Shakhtar are at full strength ahead of this second leg, and could be unchanged after their impressive display in the Turkish capital.

Alisson has been in sensational form for the Ukrainians so far in the Champions League, scoring three and assisting five goals in just two appearances so far.

Marlon has returned to the club on a free transfer from LAFC after he left after the war broke out in 2022, but he is unlikely to feature due to a lack of match fitness.

Orkun Kokcu made his debut for the club last week after joining from Benfica in a big statement of intent from the Besiktas board, and he will be one of the key players the visitors look to for inspiration to turn this tie on its head.

Tammy Abraham will also need to be in form, as the Ciro Immobile replacement did score on his debut a week ago, and a big performance will be required.

Both Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov are out injured for the Turkish side, and the midfield duo could both depart the club this summer, after limited game time last season.

Shakhtar Donetsk possible starting lineup:

Riznyk; Konoplya, Bondar, Matviienko, Pedro Henrique; Marlon Gomes, Ocheretko, Sudakov; Alisson, Eguinaldo, Kevin

Besiktas possible starting lineup:

Gunok; Svensson, Gabriel, Uduokhai, Jurasek; Tiknaz, Kokcu; Rashica, Rafa Silva, Joao Mario; Abraham

We say: Shakhtar Donetsk 2-3 Besiktas

Shakhtar have been extremely easy on the eye so far, scoring four in the first leg after also beating Ilves 6-0 in the first leg in the previous round, so another high-scoring affair could be in store.

Besiktas entered the tie as slight favourites, and with Shakhtar unable to benefit from home advantage, it does give the Turkish side an outside chance, but the task could be just too much for them.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.