Besiktas take on Greek giants Olympiakos for the first time in 58 years in the first-leg of their Europa League Last 16 clash at the Georgiocs Karaiskakis stadium on Thursday 9 March.
The Black Eagles have been firing on all cylinders in the league and Europe League lately.
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The Istanbul giants are four points clear at the top of the table from their nearest rivals Basaksehir in the Turkish league and cruised past Hapoel Beer-Sheva 5-2 on aggregate.
Besiktas boss Senol Gunes has a full strength side to pick from other than injured full-back Cenk Tosun.
The main threat will be posed by the fantastic four, Quaresma, Anderson Talisca, Babel and Cenk Tosun. Quaresma has had a late renaissance and Babel has been impressive down the flanks. Talisca could quite simply be one of the most exciting players in the competition and Cenk Tosun has been on fire.
Olympiakos are also Greek league leaders but are in turmoil after head coach Paul Bento’s departure.
The Greek giants will be coached by caretaker manager Vasilis Vouzas going into the Besiktas clash.
Olympiakos will be without Bruno Viana who is suspended, meanwhile Alberto Botia and Diogo Figueiras are treading a tightrope as one more yellow card for either player will rule them out of the return leg.
The Greek side have drawn their last two home European games and this is the first time they have reached the round of 16 since 2011-12.
This is the first time reigning Greek champions have played reigning Turkish champions in UEFA competition and while Olympiacos are never pushovers at home, Besiktas are in great form and there is value on them returning with at least a draw.
OLYMPIAKOS – BEŞİKTAŞ
Stadium: Georgios Karaiskakis
Referee: Danny Makkelie (Holland)
OLYMPIAKOS: Leali, Figueiras, Botia, Panagiotis, Da La Bella, Fortunis, Martins, Androutsos, Manthatis, Elyounoussi, Ansarifard, Cardozo
Manager: Vasilis Vouzas
BEŞİKTAŞ: Fabricio, Gökhan Gönül, Marcelo, Tosic, Adriano, Oğuzhan Özyakup, Atiba, Quaresma, Talisca, Babel, Cenk Tosun
Manager: Şenol Güneş
