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Besiktas will host Lokomotiv Moscow in a crucial Europa League encounter, with qualification from Group H on the line. The Russians have 7 points, Besiktas 5 and Sporting Lisbon 4. Skenderbeu has no points and is obviously underwhelmed in such tough company.
Besiktas is looking good this season, they lost a single match in all competitions and have already played 13 matches. That defeat was way back in August against Trabzonspor, so the hosts are currently on an 11 match undefeated run, leading the Super League in front of top sides like Galatasaray or Fenerbahce. Besiktas got a 1-1 draw in Moscow two weeks ago, a result they fully deserved in an evenly matched clash – they could have even won.
Lokomotiv’s surprising win in Lisbon, along with their expected victory against Skenderbeu put them in a great position to qualify. However, they could not get 3 points at home against Besiktas in a poor game and Besiktas was actually the team that seemed to deserve the victory. Despite the good play in Europe and being second in Russia, Lokomotiv’s form has been a calamity in the last two weeks. After the draw against Besiktas, Lokomotiv lost three consecutive matches, the last one being 2-6 against Kuban last weekend. Kuban was the strongest opponent Lokomotiv met in these three games, from which they played two at home, so the situation is almost dramatic over these last two weeks.
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Team news: Both clubs miss a couple of players, so injuries / suspensions should not influence the result. Arslan and Kalak are out for Besiktas, while Lokomotiv Moscow doesn`t have Corluka and Durica available.
Something is happening with the Russians, they were not great two weeks ago against Besiktas and they totally collapsed after that, playing worse and worse (1-1, 0-2, 0-1, 2-6). Lokomotiv also has a huge game against Zenit coming up on Sunday, a match in which they must at least avoid a loss, at all cost – so they will have extra stress in their minds.
Besiktas is playing well, they were arguably the better team in Russia so at home, where they are so much stronger, Besiktas is expected to show its superiority. I am not impressed with this Lokomotiv Moscow side, the squad is not that good and the great start of the season seems long forgotten. As things stand, Lokomotiv will most likely come in Turkey to defend a draw, an approach that will not cut it against strong opposition like the one they face today.
Look for Besiktas to dominate this match at home and claim three crucial points in the standings. They have the firepower to turn possession into goals, the attacking duo is excellent with Mario Gomez scoring for fun right now and Cenk Tosun banging in the goals as well. My tip is Besiktas to win. Prediction: Besiktas – Lokomotiv Moscow 2-0.
Pick: Besiktas
Odds: 1.84 @ 1xBet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 6.72
Event date: 5 November
