Besiktas have failed to win any of their last four pre-season friendlies
Midtjylland are unbeaten away from home since February
Recommended bet: Draw No Bet - Midtjylland @ 29/20
Besiktas will look to start the 2026-27 season in style when they face Midtjylland in Europa League qualifying on Thursday evening.
The Turkish outfit were left frustrated last season as they finished fourth in the Turkish Super Lig, 17 points behind champions Galatasaray.
That poor return cost Sergen Yalcin his job, with Besiktas turning to Vincenzo Italiano for the campaign ahead.
Besiktas are the bigger club on paper, but Midtjylland finished second in the Danish Superliga and will be confident of recording a shock result.
The latest Besiktas v Midtjylland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Team News
Besiktas have been busy in the transfer market and new signings Alexander Nubel, Orkun Kokcu, Kassoum Ouattara, Ilhan Fakili and Salih Ozcan are all hoping to feature after being named in the Europa League squad.
Leandro Trossard has also joined the club from Arsenal, but he is still on leave after featuring at the World Cup for Belgium. Defender Felix Uduokhai is suspended and will play no part in this first leg.
Midtjylland forward Junior Brumado is set to miss the tie due to a knee injury, while Franculino Dju has shaken off a knee injury of his own to be ready for the start of the new season.
New signings Rasmus Kristensen and Friday Etim are fit and available, but Mads Bech Sorensen is facing a race against time to shake off an unspecified injury.
The latest Besiktas v Midtjylland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
Besiktas ended last season in disappointing fashion, winning only four of their last 10 games in domestic competitions.
Since Italiano stepped into the dugout, things have yet to improve, with Besiktas only winning one of their five pre-season friendlies.
Midtjylland were excellent in pre-season, winning five of their six games and drawing the other.
The Danish giants have netted 17 goals in five pre-season fixtures.
Midtjylland have not lost any of their last 12 away games in all competitions.
The latest Besiktas vs Midtjylland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Prediction
Midtjylland have gained some vital experience on the big stage in recent seasons and they proved their credentials last term when reaching the last-16 stage of the Europa League.
While they missed out on the league title, they have been really tough to beat, especially on the road.
Istanbul is an intimidating place to play football for any away team, but Midtjylland's experience in Europe should stand them in good stead.
Italiano is still trying to find his feet at his new club and with so many new signings yet to settle in, Midtjylland look good value to continue their unbeaten run away from home.
The latest Besiktas vs Midtjylland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Back Draw No Bet - Midtjylland @ 29/20 with LiveScore Bet
Score prediction: Besiktas 1-2 Midtjylland
