Besiktas vs Marseille Predictions

• Besiktas have won all six home games this season
• Marseille have lost seven of their last nine away games
• Dusan Vlahovic has scored four goals in his last two games for Besiktas

Besiktas’ new boys have settled well

Besiktas’ superb form and Marseille’s alarming slide make the Istanbul side rightful favourites to win this League Phase game in the Europa League on Thursday. The Black Eagles have been in superb form, winning all but one of their Europa League qualifiers while Marseille look increasingly fragile under Bruno Genesio.

Vincenzo Italiano’s enter this on the back of three straight Turkish Super Lig wins, hitting six past Corum, beating Fenerbahce away, and cruising past Erzurumspor at the weekend. Dusan Vlahovic was unable to add to his four-goal tally in that one because of a suspension, but he should be fresh and firing for the visit of the French outfit.

Besiktas invested heavily in the summer, recruiting stars like Vlahovic and Leandro Trossard from top clubs and both have settled quickly. The hosts possess a cutting edge Marseille currently lack, particularly away from home.

Marseille have lost key men

OM opened Ligue 1 with a 4‑0 win over Strasbourg but have since unravelled, losing to Monaco, Paris FC and Rennes. Their summer exodus, which included experienced stars like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Geronimo Rulli and Leonardo Balerdi, has left the squad thin, and injuries to Geoffroy Kondogbia and Tochukwu Nnadi further weaken Genesio’s options.

Amine Gouiri and Igor Paixao offer threat, yet Marseille’s defensive structure has looked brittle and confidence is low.

Besiktas have never lost to Marseille in Turkiye, and the form guide points strongly in the same direction. With Orkan Kokcu orchestrating midfield and Vaclav Cerny providing width, the hosts should control the tempo, create the clearer chances and win.