Besiktas vs FC Midtjylland Preview

Thursday evening at Vodafone Park sees Besiktas face FC Midtjylland in the first leg of this Europa League qualifying tie. The contrast in pre-season form between these two sides could not be starker — Midtjylland arrive having been in scintillating form across their summer preparation, while Besiktas have struggled for consistency ahead of what is a crucial competitive fixture for the Turkish giants.

Besiktas have endured a difficult pre-season build-up. Their most recent outing ended in a 3-2 defeat away to Trnava — a concerning result that extended a run of mixed performances. Prior to that, a 1-1 draw away to Malzenice. Before that, a 2-0 defeat away to Widzew Lodz. Earlier in this run, a goalless draw away to Mosonmagyarovari TE and a 2-1 home win over Gyirmot represent the full picture — one win, two draws, and two defeats across their last five. There are clearly aspects of the squad that need sharpening, and the defensive record in pre-season — six goals conceded away from home in three matches — will be a concern heading into a competitive European tie. That said, Besiktas possess genuine quality in Kokcu, who has been their standout performer, and Olaitan provides pace and directness in attack. Playing at Vodafone Park with a partisan home crowd behind them is a significant advantage, and they will be expected to raise their level when the stakes are real.

Midtjylland, by contrast, arrive in Istanbul in outstanding form. Their most recent outing was a 4-1 home win over Danish rivals Odense — a dominant, high-scoring performance that continued a remarkable pre-season. Prior to that, a 6-0 win away to Cardiff — a statement result against a professional opponent. Before that, a 4-2 home win over Silkeborg. Earlier in this run, a 2-2 draw away to Malmo FF and a 1-0 home win over Lillestrom completed a sequence of four wins and one draw from five. Midtjylland under their system are built on high pressing, physical intensity, and goals — the front men Castillo and Gogorza have looked sharp, Billing and Byskov provide box-to-box energy in the middle, and the wide roles of Cho and Sorensen offer direct running. This is a side arriving with momentum and confidence, and the 3-4-2-1 system they deploy suits their strengths.

There is no previous head-to-head record between Besiktas and Midtjylland.

In Turkey, the match is live on S Sport+. In Brazil, viewers can watch on Canal Gol Brazil.

Possible Lineups

Besiktas (4-1-4-1) Cerny, Murillo, Agbadou, Destan, Oh, Kokcu, Asllani, Djalo, Olaitan, Yilmaz, Toure

FC Midtjylland (3-4-2-1) Lossl, Diao, Lee, Ndiaye, Byskov, Billing, Bravo, Sorensen, Cho, Gogorza, Castillo

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Besiktas — Last 5 Matches

Result	Home Team	Score	Away Team	Competition	Date
❌	Trnava	3–2	Besiktas	Friendly	14/07/26
🤝	Malzenice	1–1	Besiktas	Friendly	14/07/26
❌	Widzew Lodz	2–0	Besiktas	Friendly	10/07/26
🤝	Mosonmagyarovari TE	0–0	Besiktas	Friendly	05/07/26
✅	Besiktas	2–1	Gyirmot	Friendly	02/07/26

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FC Midtjylland — Last 5 Matches

Result	Home Team	Score	Away Team	Competition	Date
✅	Midtjylland	4–1	Odense	Friendly	17/07/26
✅	Cardiff	0–6	Midtjylland	Friendly	11/07/26
✅	Midtjylland	4–2	Silkeborg	Friendly	04/07/26
🤝	Malmo FF	2–2	Midtjylland	Friendly	26/06/26
✅	Midtjylland	1–0	Lillestrom	Friendly	20/06/26

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Head-to-Head

No previous meetings between Besiktas and FC Midtjylland on record.

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TV Listings / Streaming

Country	Channel
Turkey	S Sport+
Brazil	Canal Gol Brazil