Beşiktaş vs Crystal Palace: Eagles face a Turkish test in Europa League
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- Crystal Palace visit Beşiktaş in the Europa League on Thursday. Kick-off is 8pm UK time at the Tüpraş Stadium in Istanbul. The game is live on TNT Sports 2.
- Beşiktaş have won both of their European games this season and sit fourth in the league-phase table. Palace are 15th after a 3-2 loss to Lyon.
- Palace arrive in Turkey hurting from a 5-0 defeat at Brighton on Sunday. About 2,100 away fans are expected in Istanbul.
Crystal Palace travel to Istanbul on Thursday night to play Beşiktaş in the Europa League. The game kicks off at 8pm UK time. Palace badly need points after a rough week at home.
Beşiktaş are flying in this competition. They have won both of their games so far. Palace, by contrast, are still trying to find their feet in Europe.
The two teams so far
Beşiktaş sit fourth in the league-phase table. The league phase is the new group stage, where 36 teams each play eight games. The Turkish side beat Marseille and Hoffenheim in their first two matches.
Both were wins. Two from two is a perfect start.
Beşiktaş are coached by Vincenzo Italiano. He took over in Turkey and has made them hard to beat at home. They have won every home game this season in all competitions, according to Read Crystal Palace.
That is a big warning for the visitors.
The hosts have big names in attack. Leandro Trossard and Dušan Vlahović are two of their forwards. Both are well known from their time in the Premier League and Italy.
They give Beşiktaş real danger up front.
Crystal Palace sit 15th out of 36 teams. They won their opener against Lech Poznań. But they lost 3-2 to Lyon last time out in a five-goal game.
Three points from two games is not a disaster, but it is not safe either.
The top eight teams go straight to the last 16. Teams in ninth to 24th place get a play-off. Palace are inside that second group for now. They need to stay there, or climb higher.
Why this game matters
Palace arrive in Istanbul at a bad moment. They lost 5-0 to rivals Brighton in the Premier League on Sunday. That was a heavy defeat.
The fans were angry. The players looked lost.
Pierre Sage is the Palace manager. He is under real pressure now. Palace have won just two of their last seven games in all competitions.
Their defence has let in 17 league goals already this season. That is too many.
Europe has been a brighter place for Palace until now. But this trip is the hardest one yet. Beşiktaş have a full home record.
Their stadium is famous for its noise. The home fans sing non-stop. Many English teams have struggled there over the years.
For Beşiktaş, this is a chance to stay near the top of the table. Three wins from three would put them in a great spot. They want to finish in the top eight and skip the play-off round.
A win over an English team would also be a big statement at home.
The timing is kind to Beşiktaş too. They lost 2-0 to Trabzonspor in their league last weekend. But at home, in Europe, they have been perfect.
They will believe they can keep that run going.
This game is part of a big week of European football. On Tuesday, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain played out a dramatic Champions League night. Now it is the Europa League's turn to take over.
How to watch
Kick-off is at 8pm UK time. That is 10pm local time in Istanbul. The game is being played at the Tüpraş Stadium, also known as Beşiktaş Park.
In the UK, the match is live on TNT Sports 2. Fans can also stream it on HBO Max. The app works on smart TVs, phones and tablets. Radio coverage is on talkSPORT 2.
The stadium holds 42,000 people. About 2,100 Palace fans are expected to travel. The club has shared travel advice for them.
Police in Istanbul want away fans to meet at Taksim Gezi Park at 8pm local time. There will then be an escorted walk to the stadium.
The club has also warned fans about the rules inside the ground. No alcohol is sold in the stadium. Coins and power banks are not allowed.
Fans should carry their passports at all times, as Turkish law requires.
There will be a light show before the teams walk out. It will include flashing lights and images. Fans who are sensitive to bright lights should move to the concourse areas during it.
Supporters should also expect to be held back for up to 90 minutes after the final whistle.
What happens next
This is Matchday 3 of the league phase. There are still five games to play after Thursday. So one result will not decide anything.
But momentum matters in this format.
If Palace win, they jump right back into the race for the top eight. That would be a huge result after the Brighton defeat. It would also ease the pressure on Sage.
An away win in Istanbul would be one of the best results of the season so far.
If Beşiktaş win, they move to nine points. That would keep them near the top of the 36-team table. They would be in a strong spot to reach the last 16 directly.
Their fans would expect it too. Losing at home is rare for them.
A draw would help neither side much. Palace would stay in mid-table. Beşiktaş would fall a little behind the leaders.
Both teams want all three points.
After Thursday, Palace go back to the Premier League. Their domestic form needs work. Tottenham showed last weekend that one win can change a season's mood.
Palace will hope Thursday brings the same kind of lift.
For now, all eyes are on Istanbul. The noise will be loud. The pressure is real.
And Palace must find an answer they could not find at Brighton.
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