Celtic host Beşiktaş at Celtic Park on Thursday, November 5, in a Europa League fixture between sides with sharply different records in the competition. Celtic are 35th in the standings and have lost all three of their Europa League matches described so far. Beşiktaş sit eighth and arrive with a stronger competition record. Goals are a central theme in this Celtic vs Beşiktaş preview: Celtic scored in each of those three defeats but conceded nine times, while Beşiktaş have also scored in each of their three European fixtures detailed ahead of this meeting. With both sides showing attacking promise alongside recent defensive vulnerabilities, the match offers an opportunity to examine whether either can bring greater control to its performance.

Celtic's Recent Form and Key Stats

Celtic are still seeking their first Europa League point after defeats to Ferencváros, Benfica and Celta Vigo. They lost 3-1 to Ferencváros, 4-1 to Benfica and 2-1 to Celta Vigo, a sequence that illustrates the same problem in three different matches: Celtic found the net every time, yet conceded at least twice on each occasion. Their supplied Europa League season figures stand at no wins, no draws and three losses, with averages of 1.0 goal scored and 3.0 conceded per match.

Their wider recent form has been less one-sided. Across their last five matches, Celtic have recorded two wins, one draw and two defeats, scoring an average of 2.4 goals and conceding 1.6. However, they come into this fixture after a 2-0 loss to Falkirk on November 1. Home form also gives them something to address: they have won just one of their last five home games in all competitions, drawing one and losing three, while conceding nine goals in that stretch.

There is still evidence that Celtic can contribute to the scoring at Celtic Park. They have found the net in 20 of their last 21 home matches, and their last 16 Europa League home games have all featured more than 1.5 total goals. Across the competition more broadly, 28 of their last 29 matches have produced at least two goals. Those figures describe total match scoring, rather than goals scored by Celtic alone, but they underline how rarely their European fixtures have remained quiet.

Camilo Duran scored Celtic's goal against Benfica and has seven direct goal contributions across his last seven starts. His involvement could be particularly important for a side looking to turn scoring into points. Martin O'Neill also has fitness concerns to consider: Kieran Tierney needs assessing after picking up knocks against Falkirk, while Alistair Jonston and Yang Hyun-Jun are ruled out through injury. Oliver Sorensen is listed as a major doubt.

Beşiktaş's Recent Form and Key Stats

Beşiktaş travel to Glasgow in eighth place in the Europa League standings. Their European results described ahead of this match include a 4-1 victory over Marseille, a 3-2 win against Hoffenheim and a draw with Crystal Palace. They have scored nine goals across those three fixtures, although five goals conceded in the same period show why their attacking output has not removed every defensive concern.

The structured Europa League season statistics give Beşiktaş seven wins, one draw and one defeat, with averages of 1.9 goals scored and 0.7 conceded. In their most recent five matches across competitions, they have two wins, two draws and one loss, averaging 1.8 goals for and 1.6 against. Their latest result was a 2-2 draw with Kasımpaşa on November 1. The difference between their broader European averages and their recent goals conceded makes defensive consistency a point of interest for this trip.

Beşiktaş have scored at least twice in three of their last four away matches across all competitions, but have kept only one clean sheet in their last seven on the road. Each of their last 11 matches has featured more than 1.5 total goals, and each of their last 10 away games has produced at least one second-half goal. Those runs suggest that their fixtures have continued to offer scoring opportunities, even when the results have varied.

Junior Olaitan contributed an assist for the equaliser against Crystal Palace and has one goal and three assists in his three Europa League appearances described. Beşiktaş also have several injury absences for this visit: Fabio Miretti, Orkun Kokcu, Vaclav Cerny and Milot Rashica are unavailable. Umit Akdag was sent off in the 77th minute against Palace after making his first start in almost two months.

Celtic vs Beşiktaş Match Analysis

The contrast in the standings gives this Europa League meeting a clear context, but the scoring records make a straightforward result call less appealing. Celtic need to improve after three European losses, yet they have already shown they can score against each of those opponents. Beşiktaş have produced the stronger competition results and nine goals in the three European games detailed here, while conceding five in those matches.

Recent home and away figures reinforce that balance. Celtic have conceded nine goals across their last five home fixtures, whereas Beşiktaş have managed only one clean sheet in seven away games. At the other end, Celtic's scoring run in 20 of 21 home matches meets a Beşiktaş side that has struck at least twice in three of its last four away outings. Both teams therefore have a documented route to a goal, even if neither side's recent record guarantees how this particular match will unfold.

Other goal-related trends also point towards an eventful contest: more than 1.5 total goals have been scored in Celtic's last 16 Europa League home matches and in Beşiktaş's last 11 matches. Celtic have also had at least one first-half goal in 26 of their last 29 Europa League games. For this preview, though, the most relevant connection is between each team's ability to score and the chances both have recently allowed. That combination makes goals at both ends the clearest conclusion from the supplied form.

Celtic vs Beşiktaş prediction from BetMines: Both Teams To Score (Yes) with 65% probability.