Ryan Babel set to play first Europa League game since leaving Liverpool – Besiktas v Hapoel Beer-Sheva Probable Line-ups
Ryan Babel looks set to play his first Europa League game since leaving Liverpool in 2011 when Besiktas take on Hapoel Beer-Sheva at the Turner stadium on Thursday evening.
Babel last played in the Europa League in the 2010-11 season providing one assist in four appearances for the Reds.
See More: Everything you ever wanted to know about Besiktas
Besiktas booked a place in the Europa League Round of 32 after finishing their Champions League group in third place.
Babel joined Besiktas from Deportivo La Coruna in January and has hit the ground running for his new side scoring twice and providing one assist in four Turkish league games.
Besiktas will be without Africa Cup of Nations winner Vincent Aboubakar, Andreas Beck and Adriano who are all out suspended.
Babel could be joined by fellow winter transfer season arrival Matej Mitrovic who has also travelled with the squad.
Dusko Tosic is facing a four match suspension in the domestic competition after being sent off in the Turkish Cup but he is eligible to play Europa League football and has been selected.
Besiktas will also be without Demba Ba, Ersan Gulum, Luiz Rhodolfo, Veli Kavlak and Aras Ozbiliz who have not been listed.
Hapoel pulled off a huge upset to win the Israeli league last season and qualified from a Europa League group than included Italian giants Inter Milan and Premier League outfit Southampton.
The Israeli underdogs have also pulled off surprise victories against Olympiakos and Celtic in European competition.
HAPOEL BEER-SHEVA – BEŞİKTAŞ
Stadium: Turner
Kick-Off: 20:05 GMT
Referee: Martin Atkinson
HAPOEL BEER SHEVA: Goresh, Bitton,Tzedek,Vitor, Korhut, Hoban,Radi,Ogu,Buzaglo,Nwakaeme,Sahar
MANAGER: Barak Bakhar
BEŞİKTAŞ: Fabricio, Gökhan Gönül, Marcelo, Mitrovic, Tosic, Hutchinson, Oğuzhan Özyakup, Quaresma, Talisca, Babel, Cenk Tosun
MANAGER: Şenol Güneş