Can Valencia Start the EuroLeague Season With a Win in Istanbul? Besiktas vs Valencia Prediction | September 25, 2026
Besiktas
Valencia
The new EuroLeague season begins in Istanbul, where Besiktas will host Valencia in a matchup between two teams that enjoyed strong campaigns last season. The game will also be the first official meeting between the clubs, meaning there is no previous head-to-head record to consider.
Match Preview
Besiktas enters the new EuroLeague campaign after an impressive run in the EuroCup last season. The Turkish side reached the final, where it lost to Bourg, but its overall European campaign represented a significant achievement.
Besiktas also finished second in the Turkish league's regular season before losing the championship series to Fenerbahce. The Istanbul side then opened the new season against the same opponent in the Turkish Super Cup, suffering a 72-59 defeat. Jaylen Nowell was Besiktas' leading scorer with 13 points, while also recording three rebounds and two assists.
Home court was one of Besiktas' biggest strengths last season. The team lost only two home games in the Turkish league, underlining how difficult it can be to play in Istanbul. However, the EuroLeague presents a considerably higher level of competition, making this home advantage an important early test for Besiktas.
Valencia also enjoyed an outstanding 2025-26 campaign. The Spanish club won the ACB championship for the first time since the 2016-17 season and finished second in the EuroLeague regular season.
Valencia continued its strong European run in the playoffs, defeating Panathinaikos 3-2 in a closely contested quarterfinal series before losing to Real Madrid in the Final Four. The Spanish side also won nine of its 19 EuroLeague away games last season, showing that it could perform effectively outside Valencia.
The team has already played one official game this season. Valencia faced Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup and lost 87-86 in a very close contest. Kameron Taylor led the team with 23 points, while T.J. Shorts finished with 17 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
The narrow defeat nevertheless showed that Valencia was competitive from the opening game of the season. The visitors will now look to carry that level of performance into their EuroLeague opener in Istanbul.
Prediction
Besiktas will have a clear advantage from playing in front of its home crowd, and last season's domestic record in Istanbul shows how difficult it can be to beat the Turkish side on its own court. The hosts also reached the EuroCup final last season, so they have already demonstrated their ability to compete at a high European level. However, Valencia enters this matchup with a stronger recent EuroLeague record. The Spanish side finished second in the regular season last year, reached the Final Four and won the ACB championship. The opening Super Cup results also provide useful context. Both teams lost their respective games, but Valencia was beaten by only one point against Barcelona, while Besiktas suffered a 13-point defeat to Fenerbahce. With no previous head-to-head history and Besiktas holding the home-court advantage, this should be a competitive opening-round game. Nevertheless, Valencia's experience at the EuroLeague level and its performance throughout last season make the visitors the more reliable side to back. Recommended Bet: Valencia to Win
