Celtic welcome Beşiktaş to Celtic Park on Thursday night for Matchday 4 of the UEFA Europa League league phase, with the Scottish hosts desperately needing points after three consecutive continental defeats. Martin O’Neill’s side sit 35th in the 36-team standings, having collected no points from their opening three fixtures and conceded nine goals while scoring three. Beşiktaş, meanwhile, occupy eighth place with seven points, having beaten Marseille and Hoffenheim while drawing 2-2 against Crystal Palace.
Celtic’s European struggles have continued alongside disappointing domestic results, with Sunday’s 2-0 defeat against Falkirk adding further pressure ahead of the Turkish visitors’ arrival. O’Neill must find a way to address those problems without several important squad members, particularly with Celtic having conceded twice against Celta Vigo after taking the lead at home.
Beşiktaş arrive in Glasgow with considerably more confidence, although their latest domestic outing against Kasımpaşa ended in a 2-2 draw after surrendering a two-goal advantage. Their European campaign has been far more encouraging, with nine goals across three league-phase fixtures. Oh Hyeon-gyu’s return to his former club adds another exciting dimension to Thursday’s encounter.
Last 5 Games
Celtic have recorded two victories, one draw and two defeats across their previous five outings, although their European performances remain a major concern. They suffered a 2-0 defeat against Falkirk before drawing 2-2 with Dundee United, dropping further points in the domestic campaign.
A narrow 2-1 victory away against Hibernian offered some encouragement, but their European problems resurfaced against Celta Vigo, who secured a 2-1 victory at Celtic Park. Celtic subsequently produced an emphatic response against Hearts, dismantling their domestic opponents 7-1.
Celtic’s last five results:
– Falkirk 2-0 Celtic
– Celtic 2-2 Dundee United
– Hibernian 1-2 Celtic
– Celtic 1-2 Celta Vigo
– Celtic 7-1 Hearts
Beşiktaş have accumulated two victories, two draws and one defeat across their previous five fixtures. Their latest outing ended 2-2 against Kasımpaşa, with Leandro Trossard and Dušan Vlahović finding the net during Sunday’s domestic encounter.
The Turkish side previously defeated Başakşehir 2-0 before sharing the points with Crystal Palace in an entertaining European contest. Their only defeat across this sequence came against Trabzonspor, who secured a 2-0 victory, although Beşiktaş recovered impressively by beating Hoffenheim 3-2 away from home.
Beşiktaş’s last five results:
– Kasımpaşa 2-2 Beşiktaş
– Beşiktaş 2-0 Başakşehir
– Beşiktaş 2-2 Crystal Palace
– Trabzonspor 2-0 Beşiktaş
– Hoffenheim 2-3 Beşiktaş
Team News
Celtic will remain without Alistair Johnston, who suffered another hamstring setback during his comeback against Hibernian. Yang Hyun-jun also faces a race against time after his own hamstring problem, while Auston Trusty remains another defensive absentee.
Jota cannot feature because Celtic have not registered him in their Europa League squad. Consequently, Colby Donovan could continue at right-back, while Kieran Tierney should retain his place on the opposite flank.
Beşiktaş will miss captain Orkun Kökçü, who continues recovering from a heel injury. Fabio Miretti also remains sidelined with a shoulder problem, while Ümit Akdağ is suspended following his red card against Crystal Palace.
The visitors retain several important attacking options despite those absences, with Trossard and Vlahović both finding the net against Kasımpaşa. Oh Hyeon-gyu could also return to Celtic Park, although his involvement depends on Vincenzo Italiano’s selection.
Possible Lineups
Celtic could make several changes following their disappointing defeat against Falkirk, particularly in the attacking department. Kasper Schmeichel should continue in goal, with Cameron Carter-Vickers expected to anchor the defence alongside Liam Scales.
Donovan and Tierney could occupy the full-back positions, while McGregor and Baur offer passing quality and midfield control. Benjamin Nygren should provide attacking support behind a forward line featuring Camilo Durán and Sebastian Tounekti.
Celtic possible starting lineup:
Kasper Schmeichel; Colby Donovan, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, Kieran Tierney; Callum McGregor, Nicolas Baur, Benjamin Nygren; Sebastian Tounekti, Camilo Durán, Kasper Høgh.
Beşiktaş are expected to retain their established defensive structure despite Akdağ’s suspension. Alexander Nübel should start between the posts, with Murillo and Emmanuel Agbadou expected to feature centrally.
Wilfried Ndidi and Salih Özcan could provide midfield protection, while Václav Černý and Trossard offer attacking creativity. Italiano must decide whether Vlahović or Oh Hyeon-gyu leads the line, given both strikers’ recent contributions.
Beşiktaş possible starting lineup:
Alexander Nübel; Murillo, Emmanuel Agbadou, Djalo, Ridvan Yilmaz; Wilfried Ndidi, Salih Özcan; Václav Černý, Leandro Trossard, Dušan Vlahović; Oh Hyeon-gyu.
Head-to-Head
Celtic and Beşiktaş have never met in competitive football, making Thursday’s Europa League fixture their first official encounter.
Celtic have recorded two draws and two defeats across four official European meetings against Turkish clubs, failing to secure a victory during that sequence. Their previous Europa League encounters with Fenerbahçe produced a 2-2 draw at Celtic Park and a 1-1 stalemate in Istanbul.
Beşiktaş will also make history on Thursday, as the Turkish club prepares for its first official European meeting against Scottish opposition.
Where Will The Game Be Decided?
The most important tactical battle should develop when Celtic lose possession during their attacking phases. O’Neill’s side frequently commit their full-backs forward, leaving space behind Donovan and Tierney when opponents escape the initial counterpress.
Beşiktaş can exploit those openings through Trossard’s movement into the half-spaces and Černý’s willingness to carry possession at pace. Their attacking combinations could force Celtic’s centre-backs into uncomfortable situations, particularly when McGregor cannot recover possession quickly enough.
Celtic must therefore protect the space around McGregor rather than allowing Beşiktaş to bypass their midfield with one forward pass. Carter-Vickers and Scales will need to maintain their defensive positions, while Donovan must avoid being isolated against Trossard.
The hosts can still threaten through Baur’s passing and Nygren’s movement between the lines. However, their attacking approach becomes considerably less effective if Beşiktaş win the ball and immediately attack the spaces left behind.
The visitors should also target Celtic’s defensive organisation during set pieces, particularly given the pressure surrounding their European campaign. If Beşiktaş establish an early advantage, Celtic could be forced to push further forward and expose themselves to additional counter-attacks.
Game Changers
Oh Hyeon-gyu returns to Celtic Park with an opportunity to punish his former employers after adapting successfully to life at Beşiktaş. The South Korean striker has scored four goals this season, including three in European competition, establishing himself as an important attacking reference point.
His familiarity with Celtic’s defensive personnel could prove useful when Beşiktaş attempt to exploit spaces around the penalty area. Oh’s ability to attack crosses and finish quickly should make him a particularly dangerous option if Celtic struggle to control the visitors’ deliveries.
Leandro Trossard also deserves considerable attention after scoring against Kasımpaşa during Sunday’s domestic fixture. His tendency to drift inside from the left could force Donovan into difficult defensive decisions, particularly when Trossard combines with Černý around Celtic’s penalty area.
Nicolas Baur represents Celtic’s most serious attacking threat in the competition, having scored two of their three Europa League league-phase goals. His ability to receive possession between Beşiktaş’s midfield and defence could determine whether the hosts create enough opportunities to challenge the visitors.
Prediction
Beşiktaş’s victories against Marseille and Hoffenheim prove their ability to compete against difficult opposition, while their nine European goals underline their attacking threat.
Celtic’s domestic victory against Hearts offered encouragement, but their European defensive record remains troubling. They have conceded nine goals across three league-phase matches, while Beşiktaş have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to exploit defensive mistakes through quick combinations.
The hosts could create opportunities through Baur and Nygren, particularly if Beşiktaş struggle to maintain their defensive shape. However, Celtic’s attacking commitment could leave Donovan exposed against Trossard, while Černý’s movement should create additional problems during transitions.
Bet365 price Celtic at 3.10 for victory, with the draw available at 3.70 and Beşiktaş at 2.15. Those prices favour the Turkish visitors despite their away assignment, reflecting their stronger European performances and attacking efficiency.
Celtic should find opportunities at home, particularly after their emphatic victory against Hearts, but Beşiktaş possess the attacking quality to exploit their defensive vulnerabilities. The visitors could secure a narrow victory if they maintain their composure and convert their chances.
Prediction: Celtic 1-3 Beşiktaş
Odds
The following Bet365 prices indicate the expected outcome:
– Celtic win: 3.10
– Draw: 3.70
– Beşiktaş win: 2.15
A £10 stake would return £31 on a Celtic victory, £37 on a draw or £21.50 on a Beşiktaş win, including the original stake.
Kickoff Time
– Match: Celtic vs Beşiktaş
– Competition: UEFA Europa League, League Phase, Matchday 4
– Date: Thursday, 5 November 2026
– Venue: Celtic Park, Glasgow
– Kickoff: 8:00 PM GMT / 1:30 AM IST (Friday, 6 November)
