Prediction: Wolves vs Besiktas

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 7/2

Bookmaker: bet365

The Europa League is back for the final set of group stage games prior to the knockout stage getting underway in 2020. There are plenty of clubs up and down the continent that are in with a chance of progressing to that next round, with many having already qualified or been eliminated. We’re going to take a look at one such game today between Wolverhampton Wanderers, who are into the last 32, and Besiktas who already know that they’ve been eliminated.

Wolves

Wolves are flying high towards the top of the Premier League table, with many fans and pundits being actively shocked by just how well they’ve done with what is a relatively small squad by their own admission. They’ll have one eye on the Tottenham game at the weekend which, in more ways than one, serves as another great opportunity for them to earn the kind of scalp that we’ve come to expect at Molineux. Of course, they’ll still want to put out a good account of themselves here.

Team News

Jimenez is out of action for this one through suspension with Cutrone being tipped to replace him. Gibbs-White are still Wolves’ two big remaining injury issues, with Nuno being tipped to experiment a bit with his starting XI here.

Besiktas

Besiktas have a title race to contend with back home in Turkey which is going to require their full focus – and given how poorly they’ve done in Europe this season, it doesn’t seem like they’re hiding the fact that it’ll continue to be their priority. There’s always a chance that they’ll want to come out swinging in their last game in the Europa League this season, but at the same time, Wolves fans can be forgiven for thinking that this isn’t going to be all too much of a challenge.

Team News

Ruiz, Tokoz, Douglas and Nkoudou are all out of action through injury, with the expectation being that they’ll field a heavily weakened side on Thutsday.

Factors to Consider

• Wolves beat Besiktas 1-0 earlier on in the Europa League this season.
• Wolves have won three and drawn three of their last six games.
• Besiktas have won five and lost one of their last six games.
• Wolves have scored 12 goals and conceded eight in their last six games.
• Besiktas have scored 12 goals and conceded seven in their last six games.

Conclusion

There wasn’t all too much to get excited about in this game when they came head to head the first time around, and we can’t imagine it’s going to be all too different here. Wolves are just going through the motions before the knockout stage and while there’s a strong possibility they could finish top of the table, they’ll just be happy about the fact that they can probably afford to rest a few players in this one. Besiktas, on the other hand, are playing for pride and nothing more – which is why we’re going for a draw.

Prediction: Draw

Best Odds: 7/2

Bookmaker: bet365