Istanbul Basaksehir vs FC Copenhagen Predictions

• Basaksehir have won each of their last 5 home games in all competitions
• Copenhagen have seen Under 2.5 goals in 80% of Europa League matches this season
• The visitors have seen both teams score in just 2 of their last 7 games on the road
• Istanbul have failed to score on just one occasion at home in Europe this season

Basaksehir defying the odds

After losing 3-1 to Sporting in the first knockout game of the campaign, Basaksehir bounced back with an incredible 4-1 victory in the second leg to advance to the Round of 16.  An incredible 91st-minute goal from Edin Visca followed by a 119th-minute winner in extra time saw Basaksehir defy all odds to advance to their first-ever Europa League Round of 16.

Including the dramatic win over Sporting, the hosts head into the first leg with form on their side after winning each of their last 4 games in all competitions. A weekend win away from home saw them move top of the Turkish Süper Lig with Istanbul looking to top division for the first time in their 30 year history.

Copenhagen feeling lucky

After limping through the group stage with just 2 wins and 5 goals scored, Copenhagen stunned the Scottish Champions to knock them out at Celtic Park. The reigning Danish Champions survived a dominant Celtic performance a home but went one better to pick up a dramatic 3-1 victory in Scotland. Copenhagen held on the entirety of the game but 85th and 88th-minute goals saw hem advance to the Round of 16.

The victory over Celtic means Copenhagen are now unbeaten in each of their last 4 away from home in the competition, scoring 6 and conceding just 3 along the way. While the Round of 32 success will have the visitors on cloud 9, they were hit with reality after losing their latest 2 games ahead of the huge clash in Istanbul.

Avoid the goals

The visitors attacking threat has been mediocre this season and they have seen fewer than 3 goals scored in 80% of their Europa League games this season. While this may be the case, their defending has been quite the opposite with no more than 2 goals being scored against them in the Europa League this season. Basaksehir have conceded 5 goals in 4 home ties across Europa this season, 3 of them coming against AS Roma.

Basaksehir are having a season to remember so far and have built a fortress at home with just 3 losses across the entire season. Copenhagen may not be losing away from home in Europe, but they’ve fallen 5 times in 12 games in league games this season, grabbing just 3 clean sheets. Form is also in favour of the hosts and two strong defensive display’s against Celtic shows how fell they can defend against stronger opposition.