Can Maccabi Tel Aviv Hand Besiktas Another Defeat? Maccabi Tel Aviv vs Besiktas Prediction | September 30, 2026
Maccabi Tel-Aviv
Besiktas JK
Maccabi Tel Aviv will face Besiktas in the second round of the EuroLeague on September 30. The game will be played at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade, with Maccabi continuing to host its home games away from Tel Aviv.
Match Preview
Maccabi Tel Aviv finished last season as Israeli champions, beating Hapoel Tel Aviv 3-1 in the final series. The team then carried that momentum into the new campaign by winning the Israeli Super Cup, where they defeated Hapoel Tel Aviv 101-83. Maccabi have also made a strong start in the Israeli League Cup. In their latest game, they comfortably beat Ironi Kiryat Ata 109-61 in the quarter-finals.
Last season, Maccabi finished 12th in the EuroLeague with 18 wins and 20 defeats. They were particularly solid at home, winning 11 of their 19 games. Their EuroLeague campaign began with a 74-84 defeat to Lyon-Villeurbanne. Jaylen Hoard led Maccabi in scoring with 15 points while also adding six rebounds.
Maccabi also have a perfect head-to-head record against Besiktas. The teams met twice in 2013, with the Israeli club winning both games convincingly.
Besiktas, meanwhile, returned to the EuroLeague this season after a successful previous campaign that saw them reach both the Turkish League and EuroCup finals. However, their start to the new season has been difficult.
Besiktas lost the Turkish Super Cup final to Fenerbahce 59-72 before opening their EuroLeague campaign with a narrow 94-96 defeat against Valencia. Jaylen Nowell led the team with 17 points, while Omoruyi and Conor Morgan added 17 and 15 respectively.
The Turkish side then suffered another defeat in the domestic league, losing 81-95 to Anadolu Efes. Anthony Brown was Besiktas' leading scorer in that game. As a result, the team have lost all three of their official matches this season.
Key Trends
- Maccabi won the Israeli Super Cup 101-83 against Hapoel Tel Aviv.
- Maccabi won 11 of 19 home EuroLeague games last season.
- Besiktas lost all three official games this season.
- Maccabi won both previous meetings with Besiktas.
Prediction
The neutral venue in Belgrade means Maccabi will not have the usual benefit of playing at home, but the Israeli side still have several factors in their favor. Maccabi have already won a domestic trophy this season and arrive after a 48-point victory in the Israeli League Cup. Besiktas have yet to win an official game this season. Their opening schedule has been particularly demanding, with Fenerbahce, Valencia and Anadolu Efes as their first three opponents, but the Turkish side now face another experienced EuroLeague opponent. Maccabi also have the advantage of previous meetings, having won both games against Besiktas, while their greater experience at this level could prove important in a game. Besiktas should be capable of making the matchup competitive, but Maccabi's stronger start to the season, EuroLeague experience and perfect head-to-head record make the Israeli side the preferred option. Recommended Bet: Maccabi Tel Aviv to Win.
