Besiktas vs Crystal Palace: Can the South London club turn its fortunes around in Europe?

The Black Eagles are on cloud nine

The appointment of head coach Vincenzo Italiano this year has been the right choice by the board. The 48-year-old has mounted a title charge in the Turkish Super Lig, where Besiktas sit fifth with 15 points from eight games, leaving them four points behind the top spot. His overall record has been impressive as he boasts a 75% win ratio and is averaging 2.25 points per match.

Vincenzo Italiano's overall record with Besiktas in the 2026-27 season:

• Matches managed: 16
• Wins: 12
• Draws: 0
• Losses: 4
• Points: 36
• Points per match: 2.25

Vincenzo Italiano has also guided Besiktas to two consecutive UEFA Europa League (League Phase) wins. This leaves the Black Eagles as one of ten teams that have maintained a 100% record in the competition. Their campaign began with Olympique de Marseille's visit to the Tupras Stadium. It was a walkthrough for them as they won 4-1 before edging Germany's Hoffenheim 3-2 away last week.

However, they enter this clash with their confidence dented after a 2-0 away defeat to Trabzonspor in the Turkish Super Lig. That was just the second time they failed to score in eight games.

Another positive result here against Crystal Palace could strengthen their position in the League Phase standings. The Tupras Stadium could be key to their success. They've turned this venue into a formidable fortress this season. Besiktas have won their last eight competitive matches at this venue and have been prolific in the final third, scoring 21 goals and conceding four across those encounters.

In European competitions, their home record has also impressed. At present, they are riding a four-match winning streak and are chasing a fifth for the first time in club history.

More on the UEFA Europa League

Crystal Palace find themselves in a crisis under Pierre Sage

Not the same can be said about head coach Pierre Sage, who is under immense pressure at Selhurst Park this season. Crystal Palace has struggled in domestic action under his watch, with last season's UEFA Conference League winners sitting fourth with seven points from seven games. To further highlight the club’s precarious position, they sit just two points above the relegation zone.

Sage’s men arrive in Istanbul on the back of a humiliating 5-0 defeat to rivals Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League, a result that saw our weekend football predictions come to fruition. The result has gone down as their joint-heaviest defeat against a single opponent, a feat they had not suffered since January 1956.

This has seen the French head coach given an ultimatum by the club's owner and chairman, Steve Parish, to literally turn things around in two games, in terms of the team's performance and a solution to a nightmarish defense that has seen them concede 17 EPL goals, which is the most of any team in the league. Failure to do so will result in dismissal.

The first assignment will be against the third successful club in Turkish football, Besiktas. However, they enter this clash in a somber mood, having succumbed to a 3-2 away defeat to France's Olympique Lyon in the second round. Prior to that result, they opened their UEFA Europa League campaign with a commanding 4-0 home win over Lech Poznan.

The Eagles' record against Turkish teams has been far from encouraging. They've faced Samsunspor in the only two previous meetings and lost both encounters 2-0. Their last meeting, however, was in July 1998. Will they be able to secure their first win this time around against Turkish opposition? Find out what our experts have to say in our Besiktas vs Crystal Palace prediction for more insights into the game.

Beyond Crystal Palace’s difficulties against Turkish opposition, their inconsistent away form remains a significant concern. The Selhurst outfit has struggled on the road this season with just two wins from their last 11 matches across all competitions (D3, L6). That could also be their undoing in this impending encounter.

Crystal Palace's last five away European games:

• 15 October 2026 (UEFA Europa League, League Phase): Lyon 3-2 Crystal Palace
• 30 April 2026 (UEFA Conference League, Semifinals): 1-3 Crystal Palace
• 16 April 2026 (UEFA Conference League, Quarterfinals, Second Leg): Fiorentina 2-1 Crystal Palace
• 19 March 2026 (UEFA Conference League, Round of 16, Second Leg): AEK Larnaca 1-2 Crystal Palace (AET)
• 19 February 2026 (UEFA Conference League, Knockout Round Playoffs, First Leg): Zrinjski 1-1 Crystal Palace

Player Focus: Vlahovic or Vlahov-NOT?

Dusan Vlahovic is the man to keep an eye out for this Thursday night under the bright lights of Tupras Stadium. The Serbian international joined Besiktas this season on a free transfer after being released by Serie A club Juventus. He has already made a name for himself in the Turkish Super Lig and has impacted the title race with six goals in six matches.

The 26-year-old missed the team's 3-2 win over Hoffenheim due to an illness. However, Oh Hyeon-gyu stepped up to the occasion to score a brace. He also set up an assist for Michael Murillo — the team's first goal of the match. The South Korean will have to sit this one out, though, with Vlahovic set to lead the attack.

Having made three starts in the UEFA Europa League, including qualifiers, the ex-Juventus forward has yet to make an impact. That does not mean he won't be a threat in the final third against a side that has been poor in defense this season.

The last time he scored in this competition was in the 2022-23 season with Juventus. During that time, he scored 3 goals in three matches and had a one-match winning goal.

A breakdown of Dusan Vlahovic's goals in the UEFA Europa League:

See our Besiktas vs Crystal Palace prediction