Royal Antwerp vs Istanbul Basaksehir Match Analysis and Prediction

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Royal Antwerp will take on Istanbul Basaksehir at the Bosuilstadion on Thursday in the second leg of their Europa Conference League qualifying playoff-round tie.

Having played out a 1-1 draw in the first leg, there is still a lot to be decided heading into the return fixture, which has all the makings of an absorbing affair for bot sides.

Istanbul Basaksehir saw off the threat of Kayserispor through a 2-0 routine victory at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium when the sides last met in the Turkish Super Lig action on Sunday.

The Grey Owls set the ball with a 21st-minute opener from Nacer Chadli before Berkay Ozcan scored in the early exchanges of the second period to secure all the three points for his side.

Emre Belozoglu’s side sit second in the Super Lig table on seven points froma possible nine so far, level on points with current league leaders Fenerbahce.

Coming up next for the Turkish outfit is the final step towards securing continental football for yet another season which would further highlight their recent rice to prominence.

Unbeaten in each of their last seven matches on the road across all competitions, Royal Antwerp will back themselves to prevail in one of their most important games in history.

Mark van Bommel’s side were perhaps the happier of the two sides when the final whistle sounded in last week’s 1-1 draw against Basaksehir.

Royal Antwerp went behind to Mounir Chouiar’s goal nine minutes into the second half, but a late strike from Dinis Almeida restored parity.

While they failed to claim an eight consecutive win, The Reds are now unbeaten in each of their last 15 matches dating back to last season. They will be keen to keep tight at the back on their way to another positive result on Thursday.

Royal Antwerp vs Istanbul Basaksehir head to head

The two teams have previously met on just one occasion in the first leg of their Europa Conference League qualifying playoff-round tie, where they played out a 1-1 draw.

Istanbul Basaksehir 1-1 Antwerp 18/08/22

Royal Antwerp latest home form

Royal Antwerp have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their six most recent matches. They defeated Lillestrom 2-0 in their last home game in the Europa Conference League. In their last five matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded just three.

Antwerp 2-1 Dinamo Kiev 15/07/22

Antwerp 0-0 Drita 21/07/22

Antwerp 1-0 Zulte Waregem 31/07/22

Antwerp 4-2 OH Leuven 07/08/22

Antwerp 2-0 Lillestrom 11/08/22

Royal Antwerp latest away form

Royal Antwerp have recently been on a good run of form on the road, having been unbeaten in their seven most recent matches. They drew 1-1 with Basaksehir in their last away game in the Europa Conference League. In their last five matches, they have scored nine goals and conceded two.

Mechelen 0-2 Antwerp 24/07/22

Drita 0-2 Antwerp 28/07/22

Lillestrom 1-3 Antwerp 04/08/22

AS Eupen 0-1 Antwerp 14/08/22

Istanbul Basaksehir 1-1 Antwerp 18/08/22

Istanbul Basaksehir latest home form

Istanbul Basaksehir have recently been on a good run of form at home, having been unbeaten in their 13 most recent matches. They managed to defeat Kayserispor 2-0 in their last home game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored 11 goals and conceded just two.

Istanbul Basaksehir 1-1 Maccabi Netanya 21/07/22

Istanbul Basaksehir 4-0 Kasimpasa 08/08/22

Istanbul Basaksehir 3-0 Bredablik 11/08/22

Istanbul Basaksehir 1-1 Antwerp 18/08/22

Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 Kayserispor 21/08/22

Istanbul Basaksehir latest away form

Istanbul Basaksehir have recently been on a good run of form on the road, as they have been unbeaten in their seven most recent matches. They drew 0-0 with Konyaspor in their last away game in the league. In their last five matches, they have scored eight goals and conceded four.

Kasimpasa 2-3 Istanbul Basaksehir 30/04/22

Giresunspor 1-1 Isatanbul Basaksehir 15/05/22

Maccabi Netanya 0-1 Istanbul Basaksehir 28/07/22

Breidablik 1-3 Istanbul Basaksehir 04/08/22

Konyaspor 0-0 Istanbul Basaksehir 15/08/22

Royal Antwerp news

Having found the back of the net in both of his last two games for Royal Antwerp, 27-year-old Dinis Almeida is definitely one worth keeping an eye on here,

Defender Bjorn Engels remains sidelined with a knee injury which has seen him not feature for Antwerp since the beginning of February.

Istanbul Basaksehir news

Nacer Chadli got on the scoresheet on his return to action for Istanbul Basaksehir against Kayserispor, and the Belgian is expected to retain his place in the starting lineup here.

Lucas Lima proved to be a real attacking threat for the visitors last time out, where he supplied two assists.

Prediction and Odds

The teams head into Thursday’s second leg unbeaten in their last 34 matches combined, which highlights the level of competition to be expected here.

We are expecting an open and dashing match with Royal Antwerp just about utilising their home advantage to get the better of Istanbul Basaksehir in the end.

Odds: 1 2.20 X 2.05 2 2.28