The Celtic board have a decision to make as to whether to stick or twist with Martin O'Neill and their dreadful start in the Europa League is not helping his case.
Celtic remain top of the Scottish Premiership but they were flat in Sunday’s 2-0 defeat at Falkirk, which came on the back of a disappointing 2-2 draw at home to Dundee United.
The Bhoys have lost all three of their Europa League assignments against Ferencvaros, Benfica and Celta Vigo and are desperate to stop the rot at home to Besiktas on Thursday.
The visitors are having a much happier time in Europe, taking seven points from their three fixtures with wins over Marseille and Hoffenheim followed by a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.
The Turkish side may sense another opportunity to claim maximum points in Glasgow as the pressure on O'Neill intensifies.
Celtic v Besiktas Tips Summary
Best Bet - Besiktas to win @ 6/5
Alternative Bet - Dusan Vlahovic anytime goalscorer @ 5/6
Bet Builder - Over 2 goals, Dusan Vlahovic anytime goalscorer & Colby Donovan to be booked @ 27/4
Celtic v Besiktas Prediction
Best Bet: Besiktas to win @ 6/5
Celtic's 2-0 defeat at Falkirk on Sunday means that O'Neill's side have won only three of their last 10 matches and big improvement is required if they are to lay a glove on Besiktas.
The Bhoys lost 3-1 at home to Ferencvaros in their Europa League opener before being blown away 4-1 at Benfica.
A 2-1 loss when hosting Celta Vigo followed that and Besiktas, spearheaded by Dusan Vlahovic, with former Arsenal ace Leandro Trossard in reserve, have every right to be optimistic.
The Super Lig side have seven points from three Europa League games and there is substance to the form, with a 4-1 win at home to Marseille showing their firepower.
A 3-2 victory away at Hoffenheim is equally impressive and there was no shame in the latest 2-2 draw with Premier League outfit Crystal Palace.
If anything, a trip to Celtic may be slightly easier than all of those tests, so Vincenzo Italiano’s men are fancied to come out on top.
Alternative Bet: Dusan Vlahovic anytime goalscorer @ 5/6
Former Celtic striker Oh Hyeon-gyu has led the line for Besiktas in their last two Europa League games, but he was unable to reproduce his two-goal cameo at Hoffenheim against Crystal Palace.
That should mean that Vlahovic, first choice in the league and important matches, gets the nod this time around and he has been in flying form since arriving at Besiktas from Juventus.
The Serbian has seven goals in eight league appearances and he has had eight shots in just 200 minutes of Europa League action this season.
Celtic v Besiktas Bet Builder Tip
Over 2 goals
Dusan Vlahovic anytime goalscorer
Colby Donovan to be booked
Pays 27/4
Celtic’s three Europa League games have featured 12 goals, with both teams scoring on each occasion, and this is likely to be a high-scoring clash, especially as Besiktas have seen at least four goals scored in their three league-phase outings.
Vlahovic has been in brilliant form for Besiktas this season, scoring seven times in eight league appearances, and can get off the mark in the Europa League.
Those looking for a card candidate should look no further than Celtic's Colby Donovan, who has committed eight fouls in three appearances in Europe and been booked in three of his last five outings.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Celtic have won only three of their last 10 matches
The Bhoys have lost all three of their Europa League outings
Besiktas have lost only two of their last 11 games
Both teams to score has landed in five of Celtic's last six games
Five of Besiktas' last eight matches have gone over 3.5 goals
Besiktas have conceded in each of their last seven away games
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
