Beşiktaş is already gaining momentum in Europe: prediction for Beşiktaş vs Eyüpspor
The opening round of the Turkish Championship between Beşiktaş and Eyüpspor is set for August 16, 2026, at the Tüpraş Stadium in Istanbul. For Vincenzo Italiano, this will be his debut match in the Süper Lig at the helm of the Black Eagles, who come into the league opener riding a four-match winning streak from the Europa League qualifiers.
Beşiktaş: match sharpness already favors the hosts
Last season, Beşiktaş finished fourth in the league, after which Sergen Yalçın departed and Vincenzo Italiano took charge. Under their new manager, the Istanbul side dispatched Midtjylland with an aggregate score of 3-0 and Hradec Králové 2-0, winning all four official matches of the new campaign.
The midfield, in particular, has looked impressive, with Orkun Kökçü gradually building chemistry with his teammates, while Alexander Nübel has quickly settled in between the posts. Over the summer, the squad was bolstered by Leandro Trossard, Kassoum Ouattara, Elan Ricardo, İlhan Fakili, and Dušan Vlahović, significantly deepening their roster.
Eyüpspor: major overhaul after an unstable season
Following Arda Turan's move to Shakhtar, Eyüpspor underwent a period of constant managerial changes. Selçuk Şahin and Orhan Ak didn't last long, and this summer Özhan Pulat took over, tasked with stabilizing the team after a difficult second half of last season.
The club has seen a significant overhaul, signing Abdelhamid Sabiri, Mete Demir, Ahmed Abdullahi, and several others. Eyüpspor started their preseason with wins, but now they're set to face an opponent already firing on all cylinders in competitive action.
Match facts and recent results
- Beşiktaş have won all four official matches of the new season.
- In the Europa League qualifiers, the Istanbul side overcame Midtjylland and Hradec Králové.
- Eyüpspor ended last season with a run of 12 games without a clean sheet.
The difference in readiness could be evident early: prediction for Beşiktaş vs Eyüpspor
Beşiktaş have already played four official matches and head into the league opener with far greater match fitness. Home advantage and a noticeably deeper squad give Italiano's team a solid edge.
Eyüpspor, meanwhile, are still adapting to their new coach's demands and in the midst of rebuilding. Against such an opponent, the hosts should dictate the tempo and kick off the season with a confident victory.
