Celtic vs Besiktas predictions, lineups and betting tips: check the probable XIs, bet builder ideas and odds before Thursday's Europa League clash.
Celtic vs Besiktas Match Summary
Competition | UEFA Europa League (2026/2027) |
|---|---|
Match Date | Thursday 5 November 2026 |
Match Time | 20:00 UK time |
Venue (City, Stadium) | Glasgow, Celtic Park |
Broadcast (TV / Streaming / Radio / Bookmaker Streaming) | TNT Sport 3 HD |
Celtic vs Besiktas at Celtic Park pits a side desperate for points against one of the Europa League's form teams, with kick-off at 20:00 on Thursday night.
Celtic sit 35th in the table and are still chasing a first European point. Martin O'Neill has admitted his side urgently need to get points on the board.
Besiktas arrive unbeaten in Europe and sit eighth. Wins over Marseille and Hoffenheim plus a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace make Vincenzo Italiano's side the form team here.
The stakes are stark for the hosts. Lose again and Celtic will have suffered four consecutive major European defeats, a grim run for a club of their standing.
Celtic vs Besiktas Form
Celtic's form is grim on both fronts. They are pointless in Europe after letting a lead slip at home to Celta Vigo, and the domestic picture is no brighter. The defence is the problem, shipping 12 goals in their last six outings. Mika Baur is the bright spot, scoring twice in the Europa League, both at Celtic Park.
Besiktas carry far more momentum. They are unbeaten in Europe, though domestic consistency is lacking after a 2-2 draw with Kasımpaşa in which they threw away a commanding lead. Junior Olaïtan runs the engine room, with three Europa League assists, the joint-most in the competition. The worry is defensive, with goals conceded regularly away from home.
Celtic vs Besiktas Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Celtic: Alistair Johnston (Injured/out), Yang Hyun-Jun (Injured/out), Kieran Tierney (Injured/doubtful)
Besiktas: Fabio Miretti (Injured/out), Orkun Kökçü (Injured/out), Ümit Akdağ (Suspended)
Celtic
The Celtic vs Besiktas lineups start with absences for the hosts. Alistair Johnston and Yang Hyun-Jun are injured, and Kieran Tierney is a doubt after a knock against Falkirk. In the probable XI, Callum McGregor and Mika Baur anchor the engine room behind Benjamin Nygren, with Kasper Høgh leading the line.
Besiktas
Vincenzo Italiano is without the suspended Ümit Akdağ and the injured pair Fabio Miretti and Orkun Kökçü. The probable XI has Wilfred Ndidi and Junior Olaïtan in midfield, with Dušan Vlahović flanked by Václav Černý and Leandro Trossard.
Celtic vs Besiktas Predicted Lineup
Celtic
Formation: 4-2-3-1 (probable)
Predicted Starting Lineup: Probable XI: Sam Johnstone; Colby Donovan, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, Kieran Tierney; Callum McGregor, Mika Baur; Camilo Durán, Benjamin Nygren, Sebastian Tounekti; Kasper Høgh
Besiktas
Formation: 4-3-3 (probable)
Predicted Starting Lineup: Probable XI: Alexander Nübel; Amir Murillo, Emmanuel Agbadou, Emirhan Topçu, Rıdvan Yılmaz; Wilfred Ndidi, Yasin Özcan, Junior Olaïtan; Václav Černý, Dušan Vlahović, Leandro Trossard
Celtic vs Besiktas Key Stats & Match Facts
Junior Olaïtan has scored or assisted in 3 of his last 3 appearances (Europa League).
Amir Murillo has scored in 2 of his last 3 appearances (Europa League).
There have been 4+ goals scored in 3 of Besiktas's last 3 matches (Europa League).
There have been 29+ shots taken in 3 of Celtic's last 3 matches (Europa League).
Colby Donovan has made 4+ tackles in 3 of his last 3 appearances (Europa League).
Celtic vs Besiktas Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: Besiktas to win in an open, messy game. This Celtic vs Besiktas prediction rests on the visitors being the sharper side going forward while Celtic keep gifting goals at the back. Besiktas are 5/4 with 10Bet. Celtic, at 2/1 with Bet365, are rightly priced as outsiders on their own patch.
Best Bets
Over 3.5 goals in the Total Goals Over/Under market. Two leaky defences and expectations of close to four goals point to a high-scoring night at Celtic Park. Both Celtic vs Besiktas best bets lean on the same weakness at the back. Celtic have conceded at least twice in each of their previous five Europa League home matches, and Besiktas have been just as generous on the road.
Yes in the Both Teams To Score market. Both sides have scored regularly in Europe this season and both defences have been shaky. Celtic have scored in all three of their Europa League games this season despite losing each one, so the hosts carry a threat. Besiktas, with 11 goals in their last six outings, are more than capable of adding to that.
Celtic vs Besiktas Bet Builder
Our Celtic vs Besiktas bet builder tips combine a Besiktas win, Dušan Vlahović to score anytime, both teams to score and Emirhan Topçu to be shown a card.
Besiktas to win. They have scored 2+ goals in 3 of their last 3 matches (Europa League), and this Celtic defence has given little reason to think it can stop them.
Dušan Vlahović to score anytime. He leads the line in the visitors' front three and faces a Celtic back four missing Alistair Johnston.
Both teams to score. Celtic have found the net in every Europa League outing this season, so they have the firepower to answer back.
Emirhan Topçu to be shown a card. The centre-back is set to start and will be kept busy by Celtic's attacking midfield trio, with the hosts needing to throw bodies forward.
Make sure to get the best odds on your Bet Builder with Oddschecker's Exclusive Bet Builder Comparison Tool.
Bet builder odds correct at time of publishing.
Celtic vs Besiktas Talking Points
The subplot is Oh Hyeon-gyu. The Besiktas forward returns to his former club and is expected to start on the bench, having scored three times in his last five appearances, every one of them arriving late on. Against a Celtic side that cannot protect a lead, that is a threat O'Neill cannot ignore, especially as Besiktas's Europa League games this season have produced 11 second-half goals, the highest total in the competition. Italiano expects a high-intensity, pressurised atmosphere, Sascha Stegemann has the whistle, and on this evidence the Celtic vs Besiktas betting odds are right to favour the visitors.
Celtic vs Besiktas Predictions FAQs
What time is Celtic vs Besiktas kick-off?
Celtic vs Besiktas kicks off at 20:00 UK time on Thursday 5 November 2026.
Where is Celtic vs Besiktas being played?
Celtic vs Besiktas is being played at Celtic Park, Glasgow.
Where can I watch Celtic vs Besiktas?
Celtic vs Besiktas is listed on TNT Sport 3 HD.
What competition is Celtic vs Besiktas in?
Celtic vs Besiktas is a Europa League match in the 2026/2027 season.
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