Celtic vs Besiktas Lineups, Prediction, Betting Picks & Odds

Celtic vs Besiktas Game Preview

Our Celtic vs Besiktas prediction starts from a simple premise. A winless Celtic side hosts an unbeaten Besiktas at Celtic Park, and the Europa League standings tell most of the story.

Celtic sit 35th in the standings without a point. Sunday's loss at Falkirk did nothing to steady a defense that keeps springing leaks at the worst possible moments.

Besiktas arrive unbeaten and sitting eighth. Vincenzo Italiano's side have collected two wins and a tie in Europe, though their defense on the road remains a soft spot.

Another loss would hand Celtic four straight defeats in major European competition. That hasn't happened since December 2017, so Martin O'Neill needs points, and fast.

Celtic vs Besiktas Recent Results

Celtic have won just two of their last six competitive games, and the loss at Falkirk capped a miserable stretch. Europe has been no kinder, with a blown lead against Celta Vigo leaving them pointless. Mika Baur is the bright spot in midfield, but a defense that has shipped 12 goals over that stretch is the bigger story.

Besiktas have been sharper in Europe than domestically. Wilfred Ndidi and Junior Olaïtan both scored in a 2-2 tie with Crystal Palace, before the Black Eagles coughed up a lead at Kasımpaşa and settled for the same scoreline. Away from home, they have won only once in their last four competitive games, and their defense travels badly.

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

Martin O'Neill is without Alistair Johnston and Yang Hyun-jun, and Kieran Tierney is a doubt after taking a knock against Falkirk. If he's fit, Tierney slots in at left back in a probable 4-2-3-1, with Callum McGregor and Mika Baur screening the back four. Baur has scored both of his Europa League goals this season at Celtic Park, which makes him the midfield threat to watch. Kasper Høgh leads the line.

Besiktas

On the Celtic vs Besiktas lineups front, Vincenzo Italiano is missing Fabio Miretti and Orkun Kökçü through injury, while Ümit Akdağ serves a suspension after his red card. Wilfred Ndidi, Yasin Özcan and Junior Olaïtan form the probable midfield three, and Olaïtan's three Europa League assists are tied for the most in the competition. Václav Černý, Dušan Vlahović and Leandro Trossard lead the attack, with former Celtic forward Oh Hyeon-gyu set for the bench.

Celtic vs Besiktas Predicted Lineup

Celtic

Formation: 4-2-3-1 (probable)

Predicted Starting Lineup: 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: 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 & Game Facts

• There have been 29+ shots taken in 3 of Celtic's last 3 games (Europa League).
• Besiktas have scored 2+ goals in 3 of their last 3 games (Europa League).
• Junior Olaïtan has scored or assisted in 3 of his last 3 appearances (Europa League).
• Colby Donovan has made 4+ tackles in 3 of his last 3 appearances (Europa League).

Celtic vs Besiktas Prediction & Best Picks

Our Prediction

Our prediction is a Besiktas win. The Celtic vs Besiktas betting odds make the visitors the favorites at +130 (Polymarket), and the projected score is Besiktas 2-1. Celtic will probably find the net, as they have in every European outing this season, but a back line that keeps conceding in bunches at Celtic Park won't hold up against Vlahović and Trossard. The scoring projection actually runs higher than that scoreline, and that's why the goals line appeals.

Best Picks

Over 3.5 in the Total Goals Over/Under market. Both sides have been leaky and the model projects a high-scoring game. The Total Goals Over/Under market is where the value sits, with the AI probability on the over running comfortably ahead of the implied probability in the price. Celtic have conceded multiple goals in each of their last five Europa League home games, and the Besiktas defense has been just as generous on the road.

Václav Černý Over 2.5 in the Player Shots market. He is expected to start on the right of Besiktas's front three, and the model has Besiktas as favorites. This one sits in the Player Shots market, and the AI probability on Černý clearing the line sits well above the implied probability. He gets a volume role in the favored attack, and against a Celtic defense this loose, getting his shots off is a reasonable ask.

Celtic vs Besiktas Same Game Parlay

Our Celtic vs Besiktas same game parlay picks stack four legs: Besiktas on the Moneyline, Dušan Vlahović to score anytime, both teams to score, and Emirhan Topçu to be shown a card.

Backing Besiktas on the Moneyline would have landed 7 times out of their last 10 games against all opponents, and Celtic's leaky back line gives little reason to argue.

Dušan Vlahović in the Anytime Goalscorer market comes down to his role. He is the probable central striker, and Celtic have leaked nine first-half goals across their last six games.

Yes in the Both Teams To Score market fits the way this game sets up. Celtic have scored in all three Europa League outings despite losing each one, and Besiktas rarely keep a clean sheet on the road.

Emirhan Topçu in the To Be Shown A Card market is the speculative leg. The center back should be busy against Kasper Høgh and a Celtic side forced to chase this game.

Make sure to get the best odds on your Same Game Parlay with Oddschecker's Exclusive Same Game Parlay Comparison Tool.

Same Game Parlay odds correct at time of publishing.

Celtic vs Besiktas Talking Points

The subplot is Oh Hyeon-gyu, back at Celtic Park to face his former club and set to start on the bench. That role suits him, because his recent goals have all arrived between the 70th and 80th minutes. It also fits a Besiktas side whose Europa League outings have produced 11 second-half goals, the most in the competition. Martin O'Neill has said his team must go after wins to keep their European campaign alive, but chasing the game late against this Besiktas attack is exactly how Celtic get burned. Keep that late-game angle in mind alongside our Celtic vs Besiktas best picks.

Celtic vs Besiktas Predictions FAQs

What is the game prediction for Celtic vs Besiktas?

The predicted score is Celtic 1, Besiktas 2. The prediction favors the away side, Besiktas.

What formations are expected for Celtic and Besiktas?

Celtic are predicted to line up in a 4-2-3-1 and Besiktas in a 4-3-3.

When is the Celtic vs Besiktas Europa League game?

The game kicks off on Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET / 12:00 PM PT.

Where is Celtic vs Besiktas being played?

Celtic vs Besiktas is being played at Celtic Park.

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