Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Two camps who will be looking to claim a first-leg advantage on Thursday night, Besiktas will travel to the Stade de la Tuiliere when they meet Lausanne.
Lausanne
Starting with the hosts, while Lausanne might have opened up their new domestic adventure in the midst of what has been a downbeat run, Peter Zeidler’s side have impressed on European duties. Extending on their Europa Conference League adventure last week as they secured a thumping 5-1 aggregate win against Astana, the Whites have now won three of their previous four appearances across all competitions. However, knowing the importance of claiming a first-leg advantage here, the former Bochum boss is still searching for some crucial defensive stability. Despite extending on their Swiss Cup campaign last weekend as they snatched a 2-1 win away at Vevey, Lausanne have mustered just a pair of clean sheets from any of their first eight matchups across all formats.
Lausanne Team News
Both still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Lausanne will once again be without the duo of Alvyn Sanches and French youngster Enzo Kana-Biyik on Thursday night. Handed a full rest over the weekend, ex-Salzburg defender Bryan Okoh will be handed a full recall.
Finding the net away at Astana last week and notching a second Europa Conference League qualifying strike, 19-year-old Gaossou Diakite will lead the line here.
Besiktas
As for the visitors, while Besiktas might have come under some real scrutiny last month as they watched their Europa League dreams come to a thumping end following a 6-2 aggregate defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have come roaring back in an eye-catching fashion. Extending on their respective Conference League qualifying adventure last week as they secured a thrilling 7-3 aggregate win against Irish outfit St. Patrick’s the former Manchester United boss will be calling on his squad to lay down a first-leg marker here. Likewise, getting their Super Lig campaign underway over the weekend with a 2-1 victory against Eyupspor, the Istanbul-based outfit will also be excited by their recent free-scoring performances in the final third.
Besiktas Team News
Picking up another knock last week, 18-year-old Mustafa Hekimoglu will not travel over to Switzerland on Thursday night. However, aside from the academy graduate, Solskjaer’s camp have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh injury concerns.
Making an immediate impact after completing a summer switch from Roma, England international Tammy Abraham will spearhead Besiktas’ charge in the final third. Fellow new recruit and ex-Leicester star Wilfred Ndidi will start in the middle of the park.
Lausanne vs Besiktas Key Factors to Consider
- Thursday’s first-leg meeting will be the first time that Lausanne and Besiktas have met for a competitive showdown.
- The Black Eagles have won their previous three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 9-4.
- Lausanne have recorded just a pair of clean sheets from any of their first eight matchups across all formats.
- England international Tammy Abraham has registered six goals in his previous five appearances.
- Four of Lausanne last five appearances across all competitions have finished with both teams finding the net.
Conclusion
Winning their previous three appearances across all competitions by an aggregate score of 9-4, Besiktas have gained a reputation for their action-packed affairs on either side of the summer break. Last seen on foreign soil storming their way to a 4-1 victory against Irish outfit St. Patrick’s, neutrals will be hoping for another frantic affair here. Two camps who have shown some extended defensive issues, chances could come thick and fast at the Stade de la Tuiliere.
Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Dachbet