Besiktas vs Red Bull Leipzig: Preview – Black Eagles out to make history again
Besiktas had never beat Porto in European competition heading into their opening Champions League Group G clash.
The Black Eagles made history beating Porto 3-1 on the road.
The reigning Super Lig champions are out to achieve a first yet again when they take on Red Bull Leipzig at the Vodafone Arena tonight.
Besiktas have never beat German opponents in European competition.
The Eagles have faced German opposition seven times, losing six of those games and drawing one.
As Besiktas proved against Porto, records mean little to them this season and they are in great form.
The Istanbul giants are undefeated in nine European home games.
Leipzig meanwhile will play their first ever European away match, travelling more that 1,300 miles to the Eagles nest.
The Bundesliga outfit have a talented, youthful side but one thing they don’t have which could come back to bite them is experience.
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European away nights in Turkey are tough affairs and the Besiktas faithful will do their upmost to intimidate Leipzig and put pressure on the referee.
Leipzig may struggle to cope with the atmosphere in the caldron.
Besiktas have one major injury concern, Adriano is a doubt. With the full-back out Senol Gunes is going to have to juggle his defence playing either the error prone Dusko Tosic or Gary Medel out of position out wide.
Leipzig are without Kevin Kampl and it is still uncertain whether Naby Keita will start.
Last years Bundesliga runners-up have had a shaky start to the season picking up 10 points from their first six games, scoring 10 times and conceded seven – the most goals conceded in the top six.
Besiktas meanwhile have been in great form and while they did lose the Istanbul derby against Fenerbahce on the weekend it will not be of huge concern.
The manner in which the Black Eagles lost has largely been blamed on the referee. Fenerbahce won 2-1 but both goals were penalties, Besiktas have three players sent off and the team are furious that they were not awarded two penalty decisions.
The defeat has created a siege mentality. Besiktas believe they lost the game due to foul play and are desperate to vent their frustration out.
Leipzig are traveling to a Besiktas side that along with their fan base will be highly charged and desperate to prove a point after what happened over the weekend.
The visitors could prove problems with their pace and physicality but Besiktas have experience on their side. The likes of Pepe and Quaresma know all the tricks of the trade at this level and will make things very difficult for Leipzig. The Eagles have gelled over the past few years and will enter this game the favourites.
Besiktas could very well end up making history again tonight.
Prediction: Besiktas Draw No Bet.
