Gaziantep vs Besiktas: prediction, head-to-head stats and probable lineups — 01.05.2026
One of the fixtures of the 32nd round of the Turkish championship will take place on Friday at the Gaziantep Stadium, where the local side, Gaziantep BB, hosts Besiktas. The home team will play their first match under Mirel Radoi in front of their fans, while the visitors are eager to break a frustrating run of head-to-head stumbles and maintain their rhythm ahead of a decisive cup showdown.
Match preview
Gaziantep BB approaches this clash after a managerial shake-up: the team's prolonged slump led to the departure of Burak Yilmaz, and Mirel Radoi started his tenure with a 0-3 away defeat to Eyupspor. Before that, the team managed to make a statement at home with a resounding 3-0 win over Kayserispor, but overall the past months have been marked by inconsistency and tactical searching.
The new coach has already tried to shift the team from their familiar three-at-the-back setup to a 4-1-4-1 formation, and judging by his debut, he is unlikely to abandon this idea right away. However, personnel problems limit his options: Pape Ndiaye, Silvayn M'bakata, and Ali Ablak remain sidelined, while Ogün Özçicek's fitness is in question. One key intrigue—Radoi's bet on the young Viktor Ntino-Emo Gidado in the holding midfield role instead of the more familiar Melih Kabasakal.
Besiktas are finishing the season with a different mood: Sergen Yalcin's side are no longer in the hunt for medals, but they hold fourth place and are simultaneously putting their focus on the Turkish Cup. After a confident 3-0 cup win over Alanyaspor, the "Black Eagles" surprisingly failed to break down Karagumruk at home in the league—finishing 0-0, which only underlined their shift in priorities at the season's end.
The visitors are bolstered by the return of key players from suspension: Ersin Destanoglu and Mikael Murillo are available again, which should add solidity both in defense and between the sticks. However, Ridvan Yilmaz will miss the trip due to suspension, while Kartal Yilmaz and Necip Uysal remain in the treatment room. Against a crisis-ridden Gaziantep, Besiktas' more cohesive structure stands out as the main argument in favor of the visitors.
Probable lineups
- Gaziantep BB: Gorgen, Rodriguez, Abena, Kizildag, Sorescu, Gidado, Lungoyi, Maxim, Kamara, Kozlowski, Bayo.
- Besiktas: Destanoglu, Murillo, Agbadu, Topcu, Ozcan, Ndidi, Rashica, Kekcu, Olaytan, Toure, Hyun Gyu.
Match facts and head-to-head stats
- Gaziantep BB are unbeaten against Besiktas in their last four head-to-head encounters: two wins and two draws.
- In the first half of this season, the teams played out a 2-2 draw in Istanbul, with Mohamed Bayo scoring a brace for Gaziantep.
- At home, Gaziantep BB have not lost to Besiktas in six consecutive matches since September 2019.
Prediction
Gaziantep BB will get an emotional boost from Radoi's first home game, but a new manager's effect alone may not be enough. The team still looks raw after the recent overhaul, and the 0-3 defeat to Eyupspor showed that the new systems do not yet protect the hosts from defensive collapses. Besiktas may be somewhat relaxed in terms of league motivation, as their main focus has shifted to the Turkish Cup, but in terms of squad quality, structure, and individual class, the visitors are still a cut above. The return of Destanoglu and Murillo adds balance, and against Gaziantep's unstable defense, the "Black Eagles" should have enough resources for a productive away trip.
