Malmo FF vs Besiktas Predictions

This Thursday’s UEFA Europa League clash sees Malmo take on Besiktas as both sides bid to take a step in the direction of the knockout stage. That’s certainly not an impossible dream for either side, given this group lacks a team from one of Europe’s powerhouse leagues but right now you’d have to say the Turks stand the better chance of progressing.

They were comfortable winners on match-day one seeing off Sarpsborg 3-1 at home. They’d already come through three qualifying rounds, including a potentially tricky clash with Partizan Belgrade in the play-off round, so Besiktas have managed to build some real momentum in this competition and they head to Sweden as the slight favourites to win on the night.

Malmo meanwhile started their European campaign way back in early July, dropping out of the Champions League with a defeat by Vidi of Hungary before seeing off Midtjylland to reach the Europa League group phase. They were beaten on match-day one though, losing 2-0 at Genk. They are approaching the end of what has been a poor domestic season overall with the title heading elsewhere but things have improved since the appointment of Uwe Rosler, with Malmo now in the top four and pushing for European qualification.

This game promises to be a fairly even contest and there’s reason to think both teams will score at some point in the game. Most of the reasoning for that comes from Besiktas, who are quite a positive side and 10 of their last 12 matches in all competitions have seen goals at each end of the pitch.

Malmo have a goal or two in them too though. They’ve scored twice or more in 7 of their last 10 matches in all competitions. Having lost their opening game, the pressure really is on them to chase maximum points here and that should open things up a bit, so overall backing Both Teams to Score looks a decent punt.

In terms of the outcome, it’s a tough call and going for the Draw might be the best move in the Full-Time result market. Besiktas would probably be content with that and they have drawn all of their last 3 away games 1-1. 4 of Malmo’s last 6 European games have also finished level so it would be no surprise at all should the points be shared in this one.