Beşiktaş J.K. vs. FC Shakhtar Donetsk Prediction on July 24, 2025

Match info

The new European men’s club football season heats up with qualifying matches for all three UEFA-organized competitions. On Thursday, July 24, 2025, the 1st leg of the 2nd qualifying round for the 17th season of Europe’s second-tier tournament, the 2025–26 UEFA Europa League, is on the schedule. With a roster that balances experience with developing talent, Turkey’s Beşiktaş J.K. will welcome a rebuilt squad of Ukraine’s FC Shakhtar Donetsk, with a kickoff at 9 p.m. TRT (local time) at Tüpraş Stadyumu in Istanbul.

Meeting statistics

Current form: Beşiktaş J.K.

Guided by ex-Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær, the Istanbul heavyweights are readying a new chapter with a squad that demonstrates both ambition and versatility. Veterans such as João Mário, Gabriel Paulista, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain bring consistency and leadership, while a new generation—led by Semih Kılıçsoy, Keny Arroyo, and Mustafa Hekimoğlu—infuses pace and energy into the roster.

Establishing a foundation in the midfield are Gedson Fernandes and Milot Rashica, giving creativity, tempo oversight, and transitional danger. In defense, Felix Uduokhai and Jonas Svensson bring discipline and resilience, completing a team geared for high-stakes European play.

Beşiktaş didn’t show a good form in the offseason, losing 2 straight matches in the last week—Wolfsberger 2-3 and Pertžalka 1-2. Nevertheless, they are the favorites in the 1st leg by EU betting sites’ odds.

Current form: FC Shakhtar Donetsk

Beyond the pitch, the Ukrainian side persists in adapting in the face of hardship, deriving energy from its deeply integrated football tradition. The recent hiring of Arda Turan as head coach sparked tremendous enthusiasm in the club. Known for his zeal and tactical understanding from his playing days in Spain and Turkey, the Turkish manager accepted the responsibility of steering “Hirnyky” (Miners) through transition and toward competitive steadiness.

Shakhtar’s roster combines old-school toughness with new-school style. While Georgiy Sudakov remains a creative force in midfield, players like Mykola Matvienko and Dmytro Kryskiv provide stability and tenacity. The team is still motivated by pride in their country and a desire to succeed on the European scene, even in the face of challenging circumstances off the field.

Shakhtar have been both brilliant and vulnerable in recent games. A 0–1 loss to Triglav counterbalanced dominant wins over Ilves and Grosuplje, 6–0 and 5–0, respectively. These outcomes show a team that performs well in open games versus less structured opponents but frequently falters against structured, disciplined ones.

Match analytics

More than just a scoring trend, the expected win for Beşiktaş highlights the disparity in tactical clarity and home-field advantage. They’ve won 17 of their past 20 home games in all competitions, transforming Tüpraş Stadyumu into a fortress. Their previous performance demonstrates their poise under duress and strength in transitions. Despite their skill, Shakhtar have lost 14 of their last 21 away games, demonstrating their inconsistency. Even while they can perform a magical moment, their defensive flaws frequently force them to play catch-up.

Beşiktaş should control the game’s pace, press high, and score early. One of Shakhtar’s exciting attackers might score a goal, but it will be difficult to keep up the momentum for the full 90 minutes.

Tip: First Team To Score: Besiktas JK, at 1.88 odds at Coolbet.