Celtic vs Besiktas preview: Team news and predicted line-ups as pressure builds

← Back to Match CentreCeltic v Besiktas

Celtic host Besiktas on Thursday needing their first points of the Europa League campaign, with Martin O’Neill admitting his side are running short of opportunities to recover.

Three defeats have left Celtic facing a difficult route towards the knockout stages. Besiktas arrive unbeaten in the league phase, with seven points from their opening three matches.

Kick-off at Celtic Park is 8pm GMT on Thursday 5 November.

Celtic vs Besiktas: O’Neill insists qualification remains possible

O’Neill acknowledged the damage caused by Celtic’s start but maintained that progress remains within reach.

“We’re definitely running out of matches, no question. But we are capable of still qualifying,” he told Celtic’s official website.

Defeats against Ferencvaros, Benfica and Celta Vigo have increased the importance of taking something from this fixture. Celtic also need a response to Sunday’s 2-0 Scottish Premiership defeat at Falkirk.

A further European defeat would not automatically eliminate them, but it would leave substantially less room for error across their remaining four league-phase matches.

Celtic and Besiktas team news

Yang Hyun-jun has resumed some training, although this match is expected to come too soon. Sunday’s meeting with Kilmarnock offers a possible opportunity for his return.

Alistair Johnston remains an injury concern, leaving Colby Donovan an option at right-back.

Besiktas are without suspended defender Umit Akdag following his dismissal against Crystal Palace. Orkun Kokcu and Fabio Miretti have also been listed among their injury absentees in Sports Mole’s match preview.

Celtic vs Besiktas predicted line-ups

These are predicted teams, not confirmed starting line-ups.

Celtic: Johnstone; Donovan, Carter-Vickers, Scales, Tierney; Baur, McGregor; Duran, Nygren, Tounekti; Hogh.

Besiktas: Nubel; Murillo, Agbadou, Topcu, Yilmaz; Cerny, Olaitan, Ozcan, Ndidi, Trossard; Vlahovic.

Dave.Sport prediction

Celtic 1-1 Besiktas.

Celtic’s need to attack should make this an engaging contest, but urgency alone will not resolve their problems. They must create pressure without leaving Besiktas space to exploit when possession changes.

Our prediction is a draw: enough to get Celtic off the mark, but a result that would keep the pressure on them to win away from home later in the league phase.

How to watch Celtic vs Besiktas

For the latest UK television and streaming information, read our how to watch Celtic vs Besiktas guide.

Confirmed line-ups and match updates will be available through the Celtic vs Besiktas match centre.

← Back to Match CentreCeltic v Besiktas