Besiktas vs Midtjylland prediction 23.07.2026 | Europa League qualifications

Besiktas have been without the domestic league title for five seasons in a row, and that is surely the primary goal for the upcoming campaign. Last year, they ended with 17 points fewer than the top of the standings, and they surely expect much more. On top of that, the Black Eagles failed to qualify for any European competition last season, an outcome the club will be eager to avoid this time around.

Although Besiktas have the highest ambitions, their preseason doesn't provide too much optimism, as the Black Eagles won only one of five friendly matches. In the final test, they lost 3-2 against Trnava. Besiktas especially had problems with defense. They conceded six goals in the last three matches. 

Besiktas seems significantly better than last season. Most important players remained in the team, while they signed a lot of respectable players. The biggest addition is surely Leandro Trossard, who came from Arsenal. The Belgian had six goals and six assists in Arsenal's Premier League title run last season and will likely be the focal point of Besiktas' offense. Besides Trossard, Besiktas also added Kassoum Ouattara (from Monaco), Alexander Nubel (Bayern Munich), Ilhan Fakili (Clermont), Salih Ozcan (Borussia Dortmund), and Dogan Alemdar (Basaksehir). 

For almost a decade, Midtjylland have been regularly part of the top Danish teams. In the previous season, they ended second in the standings, and with the changes the team from Herning made, they are hoping to return to the top in domestic football. While their league campaign fell short of expectations, Midtjylland impressed in the Europa League, finishing third in the league phase. Their European run ultimately came to an end in the first knockout round after being drawn against Nottingham Forest.

Midtjylland were excellent in the preseason, winning four of their five matches. In the most recent outing, Mike Tullberg's team won 4-1 against Odense. Midtjylland looked like a goal machine for most of the preseason, scoring 17 goals in five tests. 

Midtjylland didn't change their squad significantly this summer, as only Aral Simsir should be considered an important departure. On the other hand, Tullberg's team added a valuable Rasmus Nissen Kristensen, who came from Eintracht Frankfurt. Midtjylland also signed Kjell Watjen (from Borussia Dortmund), Friday Etime (Fredericia), Nordin Bakker (Heerenveen), and Stanley Iheanacho (Mafra).