St Patricks vs Besiktas Predictions

• St Pat’s have avoided defeat in their last eight contests
• Besiktas have failed to win any of their last five matches
• Besiktas have failed to win five of their last six away European matches

Saints still capable of raining on any parade

St Patrick’s produced a late, late show to keep their Conference League dream alive and look unlikely to give Europa League dropouts Besiktas an easy ride on Thursday.

Stephen Kenny’s men needed a 90th-minute goal in Tallinn to send their second qualifying round tie against Nomme Kalju into extra time before Jake Mulraney’s speculative cross floated in. Saints’ reward is a two-legged tie against Besiktas, who lost both legs against Shakhtar Donetsk to descend into Europe’s third-tier tournament.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s job could be on the line soon as the Black Eagles’ results and form has fallen off a cliff after a promising start to his time in Istanbul. Besiktas won six of their first eight games under the Norwegian last term, but the tenure is now following a familiar pattern to his time as Manchester United manager.

Besiktas in bad shape

The Turkish giants have failed to win each of their last five games, including two defeats in friendlies just before their double Donetsk disappointment.

They could stumble against a St Pat’s side that are unbeaten in their last five home Conference League ties with four clean sheets.

St Pat’s have avoided defeat in their last eight contests and look good value to take at least a draw to Turkey for the second leg.