MX23RW : Saturday, November 23 07:44:40| >> :120:42934:42934:
[monks data]
Attendance: 27,866
Wolves logo
Europa League | Group Stage
Dec 12, 2019 at 8pm UK
 
Besiktas

4-0

Jota (58', 63', 69'), Dendoncker (67')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Preview: Wolverhampton Wanderers vs. Besiktas - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole provides team news, predicted lineups and a full preview of Thursday's Europa League fixture between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Besiktas.

Wolverhampton Wanderers head into their meeting with Besiktas having already secured their place in the last 32 of the Europa League.

However, Nuno Espirito Santo's side must record all three points against their Turkish opponents in order to finish ahead of Braga in Group K.


Match preview

Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo regards the action on September 19, 2019© Reuters

With talk of a potential switch to Arsenal having now ended, Nuno has been left to focus on trying to maintain Wolves' progress on both the domestic and European scene.

Despite a big effort being made to claim the point that they required against Braga in Portugal two weeks ago, it has not hindered their Premier League form with five points coming from games against Sheffield United, West Ham United and Brighton & Hove Albion.

However, there were signs during Sunday's 2-2 draw at the Amex Stadium that Nuno's first-choice XI were in need of a small break after a run of games where the Portuguese has only made enforced alterations to his starting lineup.

While top spot is still up for grabs, the hectic schedule will likely lead to Nuno making mass changes for this game, giving an opportunity to the likes of Pedro Neto and Patrick Cutrone, who have been shy of game time.

The duo combined to seal Wolves' win over West Ham last week, and this encounter represents a better chance to impress their head coach at a time when he will be considering fresh additions during the January window.

When Wolves claimed a last-gasp win in Turkey in October, Besiktas found themselves well off the pace in Turkey's top flight, with Abdullah Avci battling to keep his job in the dugout.

However, while the Black and Whites have struggled in this competition, Avci has overseen a resurgence in the league with 22 points being registered from a possible 24.

Besiktas now sit in second position in the table, just three points behind leaders Sivasspor, and Avci will now feel that his team are perfectly placed to soon move to the top of the standings.

There is an argument for Avci to rest his entire starting lineup for the visit to Molineux, although the 56-year-old must take into account whether it is worth disrupting the rhythm of his in-form team at an important period of the season.

Wolverhampton Wanderers Europa League form: WLWWWD
Wolverhampton Wanderers form (all competitions): WWDDWD

Besiktas Europa League form: LLLLW
Besiktas form (all competitions): WWWWWW


Team News

Ryan Bennett in action for Wolves on September 19, 2019© Reuters

Nuno is expected to change the majority of his starting lineup for the visit of Besiktas, with potentially only Romain Saiss keeping his place after recently serving a one-match ban on the domestic front.

Ryan Bennett could take the place of Conor Coady, with Jesus Vallejo and Max Kilman being used either side, and academy player Dion Sanderson may get the nod at right-back.

Fellow youngsters Taylor Perry and Chem Campbell are also in line to play, and Owen Otasowie and Luke Cundle could be named among the replacements.

However, Morgan Gibbs-White is expected to remain sidelined as he continues his recovery from a back injury.

Avci will rest a number of his key men, meaning that the likes of Mohamed Elneny and Adem Ljajic may miss out.

Former Sunderland winger Jeremain Lens could come into the team after missing the win over Slovan Bratislava due to suspension.

Wolverhampton Wanderers possible starting lineup: Ruddy; Vallejo, Bennett, Kilman; Sanderson, Saiss, Perry, Vinagre; Campbell; Cutrone, Jota

Besiktas possible starting lineup: Karius; Uysal, Vida, Roco, Rebocho; Ozyakup, Yilmaz; Boyd, Diaby, Lens; Yalcin


Sports Mole Logo

We say: Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-2 Besiktas

With both teams expected to make changes for this contest, any result is realistically possible. Taking that into consideration, we feel that an entertaining draw is the most likely overcome, with Wolves potentially claiming a late share of the spoils.



ID:382399: cacheID:382399:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8370:No Data Analysis info

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Restore Data
Share this article now:
Ruben Neves celebrates scoring a free kick for Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 11, 2018
Read Next:
How Wolves could line up against Crusaders
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1Lazio440012
2Ajax431010
3Anderlecht431010
4Frankfurt431010
5Galatasaray431010
6Spurs43019
7FCSB43019
8Lyon42117
9Rangers42117
10Olympiacos42117
11Bodo/Glimt42117
12Midtjylland42117
13Ferencvaros42026
14Man Utd41306
15Plzen41306
16AZ42026
17Besiktas42026
18Hoffenheim41215
19Roma41215
20Fenerbahce41215
21Elfsborg41124
22Braga41124
23Porto41124
24Slavia Prague41124
25Real Sociedad41124
26Malmo41033
27FC Twente40313
28Qarabag41033
29Union SG40222
30Nice40222
31RFS40222
32Ludogorets40131
33PAOK40131
34Athletic Club00000
35M. Tel Aviv40040
36Dynamo Kiev40040


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!