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Istanbul Basaksehir visit the Mikheil Meskhi Stadium on Thursday to face FC Iberia in the first leg of their Europa Conference League clash in the third qualifying round. Aiming for their second appearance in the tournament, the Turkish outfit got here after brushing aside San Marino's La Fiorita. A thumping 6-1 victory at home was followed by a 4-0 win away from home in the return.
The Grey Owls made a big statement of their intentions and will be full of confidence ahead of their next round of games.
On the other hand, this is only the fourth season of Iberia looking to secure European football. All their previous attempts have been unsuccessful. In the Conference League particularly, the Red Eagles made it to the second qualifying round in the 2022-23 season, but lost out to Romanian side FCSB.
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This time around, they overcame Albania's Partizani at the same stage, winning the home leg 2-0 before frustrating them in a goalless stalemate a week later. Against Istanbul Basaksehir, Iberia are facing perhaps their biggest test ever, and at stake is a first appearance in the playoffs.
FC Iberia vs Istanbul Basaksehir Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- This is the first meeting between the sides in history.
- Istanbul Basaksehir are facing a Georgian side for the first time in their European history. Similarly, FC Iberia are facing a Turkish side for the first time too.
- Istanbul Basaksehir are unbeaten in their four away games in Europe, winning and drawing twice each, while keeping a clean sheet in three of them.
- FC Iberia have won their last two home games in Europe, keeping a clean sheet in both: 1-0 vs FCSB and 2-0 vs Partizani.
- Of their last five official games, just one has ended in a win for FC Iberia: 2-0 vs Partizani in the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference League.
FC Iberia vs Istanbul Basaksehir Prediction
Istanbul Basaksehir are the favorites here, given their quality, experience and thumping wins in both legs of the last qualifier round. Nonetheless, they can expect some resistance from FC Iberia, who are no pushovers at home. A draw seems fitting.
Prediction: FC Iberia 1-1 Istanbul Basaksehir
FC Iberia vs Istanbul Basaksehir Betting Tips
Tip 1 - Result: Draw
Tip 2 - Goals over/under 2.5: Under 2.5 goals
Tip 3 - Both teams to score: Yes
