Prediction: Besiktas vs Monaco

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: bet365

Surprise leaders in the Group G standings will be looking to secure their place in the knockout stages with two games to go and record fourth straight triumph in the group stage. Besiktas will be up against out-of-sorts Monaco, who have just one point to their tally after three matches, so it goes without saying that the visitors are after a morale-boosting win.

Besiktas

A team where players like Alvaro Negredo, Gary Medel and Jeremain Lens are struggling for playing time must be doing something right, and Besiktas indeed have been quite impressive this season. The Super Eagles do trail Galatasaray and Istanbul Basaksehir in the domestic competition, but their Champions League performances leave little to be desired. Senol Gunes’ side enjoyed an impressive start to the new UCL campaign, recording successive wins over Porto (3-1), RB Leipzig (2-0) and Monaco (2-1) to all but secure their place in the next stage. The likes of Cenk Tosun, Ryan Babel, Ricardo Quaresma and Talisca have all been in fine form during said games, and Besiktas now also have a chance to cement the first place in the standings. The Super Eagles seem to have recovered well from the poor SuperLig run, having produced a good performance in the 1-1 draw with title rivals Istanbul Basaksehir before defeating very good Antalyspor on the road, so they seem well prepared for yet another clash against struggling Monaco.

Team News

With all key men available, head coach Senol Gunes is almost certain to stick with the side that defeated Antalyaspor at the weekend.

Monaco

Last season was without a doubt the most successful in Monaco’s recent history as the club added an eighth league title to their trophy cabinet and the first in the 21st century, while also reaching the Champions League semis. The success came at a cost as the Principality club had to cash in on quite a few star players, and given the huge changes to the playing squad, the somewhat stuttering start to the new campaign was to be expected. Unlike their next opponents, Monaco fared pretty well on domestic stage, climbing to second in the standings, but they were surprisingly disappointing in Europe. While Leonardo Jardim’s side did well to bring one point from Leipzig, it was home losses to FC Porto and Besiktas that seriously damaged their qualifying hopes. Nothing is lost yet as second-placed RB Leipzig are just three points away, but AS Monaco will have to win in Turkey if they want to get their campaign back on track. However, numerous injuries to star players are a major cause for concern at the moment, with potential absence of top scorer Radamel Falcao definitely a serious blow.

Team News

The good news is that Stevan Jovetic returned into action after recovering from injury, but key men Radamel Falcao and Djibril Sidibe look set to miss out.

The likes of Guido Carrillo, Rachid Ghezzal and Terence Kongolo are all rated doubtful for the trip to Vodafone Stadyumu in Istanbul.

Key Factors to Consider

• Besiktas won the reverse fixture 2-1
• Monaco won two of last three away games
• The French giants scored 8 goals in last 4 UCL fixtures on the road
• Besiktas scored in last 18 matches on home soil (41 goals)
• Monaco winless in last five Champions League games (D1 L4)

Conclusion

Besiktas have been in fine form this season and they will be looking to use amazing home support to make it four wins on the bounce. Monaco, on the other hand, are slowly waking up from their slumber and they are aware only a win would do in Istanbul. Therefore, we expect another high-scoring affair at Vodafone Stadyumu.

Verdict: Both teams to score

Best Odds: 8/15

Bookmaker: bet365