Besiktas vs Strasbourg

Greisbergers Betten-Arena forms the backdrop for a first-ever encounter between Super Lig powerhouse Besiktas and Ligue 1 minnows Strasbourg.

Despite piecing together a mind-blowing 15-game unbeaten streak toward the end of the 2022/23 Super Lig season (W12, D3), Besiktas could only manage a third-place finish. But the Turkish heavyweights have translated their domestic form to an early pre-season, following up a 1-1 draw against Augsburg with an overwhelming 4-0 victory over Mezokovesd-Zsory last time out. Indeed, you’d need to go back to the beginning of February and a narrow 1-0 defeat at Sivasspor for Besiktas’ most recent loss, highlighting the amount of confidence streaming through Senol Gunes’ side in the build-up to this fixture. On top of that, goals have been flowing around for the ‘Black Eagles’ lately, as they’ve netted three or more in as many as eight of their last nine outings.

In the meantime, Strasbourg’s pre-season got off to an unexpectedly flying start as they eked out a 2-1 win over a more heavily fancied TSG Hoffenheim in their opening summer friendly after barely surviving a nerve-shredding Ligue 1 relegation battle last season. Despite eventually finishing five points clear of 17th-placed Auxerre, Strasbourg’s form in 2022/23 flattered to deceive. ‘Le Racing’ reeled off a series of unimpressive showings at the tail-end of last season, going winless in their three final league fixtures (D2, L1), all of which saw both teams on the scoresheet. Based on Patrick Vieira’s touchline debut against Hoffenheim, Strasbourg’s defensive woes remain the team’s Achilles heel.