ROSS CASEY (@Rosscasey24) previews Thursday night's battle in the Europa League between Istanbul Basaksehir and Burnley from the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium.
Istanbul Basaksehir v Burnley | Thursday 9th August 2018, 19:00
Burnley drew both of their matches against Aberdeen over 90 minutes in the previous round, before putting the Dons to bed in extra-time of the second leg.
Next up for the Clarets is a trip to Turkey to face Istanbul Basaksehir, which on paper looks a much tougher proposition.
The Super Lig outfit are particularly strong at home and Sean Dyche will surely be hoping to keep things tight and make sure the tie is still in the balance for the second leg back at Turf Moor.
Istanbul Basaksehir
The hosts have only won two of their pre-season matches, but you can't read too much into those results, especially as none of them occurred at their home stadium.
Last season, Basaksehir's home league record read W11-D4-L1. That is a tremendous record – the hosts won 76% of their home Super Lig matches. In particular, you have to look at the defensive record they had – in 17 matches they only conceded 14 goals.
However, there is a caveat with the fact that in the Europa League, they kept just two clean sheets in their history of the competition. Against a Burnley side that don't score a hatful of goals though, they will be quietly confident of keeping them out.
Illness could rule Emmanuel Adebayor out of this clash, but the experienced Mevlut Erdinc will be able to fill the void. They have excellent wide players in Kerim Frei and Elijero Elia and a very experienced defence that we have already mentioned have a good home record.
Burnley
The Clarets have made late movements in the transfer market, with Ben Gibson, Joe Hart and Matej Vydra all arriving at Turf Moor this week, although it is currently unclear if they will be registered in time to play here.
Anders Lindegaard is set to deputise for Hart if he isn't registered and he conceded against Aberdeen in both legs, whilst Adam Legzdins impressed between the sticks in their last pre-season game against Espanyol.
Burnley lost just five away games last season – only Man City lost fewer on the road in the Premier League – but they did so thanks to a great defence rather than an outstanding attack. The Clarets only netted 20 goals in 19 away trips on Premier League duty.
Dyche's troops did go without a win in any of their last five league games, and in betting terms, that continued in the Europa League making their winless streak in competitive matches now a run of seven. That is the reason they are a 61/20 best price to win here.
The betting angles
Burnley are on a poor run in terms of victories at the moment and even with Adebayor possibly out of this game, I think that in tough conditions and in a hostile atmosphere, they will face defeat.
Istanbul have an excellent record at home and with Nick Pope out, Burnley will have either a fourth-choice keeper in place or Joe Hart playing for a brand new side.
Back a home win here at 21/20 with BetVictor.
Best Bets
Istanbul Basaksehir v Burnley – Istanbul Basaksehir to win (21/20 BetVictor)
