Hapoel Be'er Sheva vs Besiktas Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Hapoel Be’er Sheva are enjoying an historic campaign in Europe this season. Prior to this season they had played out two Europa League matches, both of which resulted in their elimination prior to the group stages. This season they made it all the way to the Champions League Playoffs before being narrowly defeated by Celtic, but that afforded them their first ever group stage entry into the Europa League.

They haven’t disappointed there either, picking up eight points from six very tough matches in a group consisting of them, Sparta Prague, Southampton, and Inter Milan. They were defeated by Sparta Prague on both occasions, but picked up fantastic victories home and away against Inter Milan and drew with Southampton twice to extend their phenomenal European journey.

Surprisingly their domestic form hasn’t really taken a hit from these extra matches. They sit atop the Ligat Ha’al table with a five point lead over Maccabi Tel Aviv, and their 2-1 win at the weekend made it six wins, three draws, and two defeats from their last 11 outings in all competitions. At home they have won 12 of their last 14 games in all competitions, so they are a force to be reckoned with on their home turf.

Besiktas made their way to this stage of the competition by finishing 3rd in their Champions League group, picking up seven points from a very competitive group that included Napoli, Benfica, and Dynamo Kiev.

They, like their opponents, also sit at the top of their domestic league with a two point lead over surprise package Basaksehir in the Turkish Super Lig. However, they come into this game after back to back defeats against Fenerbahce and Karabukspor, the former of which ended their eight match unbeaten run.

Away from home they have only won two of their last eight games in all competitions and their last European trip away resulted in a 6-0 battering at the hands of Dynamo Kiev. Andreas Beck and Vincent Aboubakar were sent off in this match and left back Adriano will also serve a suspension. Along with injuries to Demba Ba and Caner Erkin this leaves them somewhat short in the full back and striker positions for this clash.

I think Hapoel Be’er Sheva can make the most of their home advantage here, especially given the selection issues that Besiktas manager Senol Gunes faces. The hosts are incredibly difficult to beat at home, so odds of 1.875 for a Hapoel Be’er Sheva 0.0 Asian Handicap look good value, and I’m backing a 2-1 correct score predictions at 9/1 as well.