Beşiktaş vs. Shakhtar Donetsk: Kick of time, predicted line ups, how to watch...

Under the guidance of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Beşiktaş is set to play their first official match of the 2025-26 season tonight. The Black Eagles, who have made significant waves in the summer transfer window with high-profile signings such as Tammy Abraham and Orkun Kökçü, will host Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk, managed by Arda Turan, in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League 2nd Qualifying Round tie.

Beşiktaş will take to the field in their white kit and white shorts for this evening's match.

Predicted line-ups

Beşiktaş: Mert, Svensson, Paulista, Uduokhai, Jurasek, Fernandes, Orkun, Rashica, Rafa Silva, Joao Mario, Abraham.Shakhtar Donetsk: Riznyk, Konoplia, Bondar, Matviyenko, Pedrinho, Gomes, Santana, Bondarenko, Sudakov, Kevin, Kaua Elias.

Arda Turan's pre-match comments

Shakhtar Donetsk coach Arda Turan shared his thoughts during the pre-match press conference: "We will play as bravely as possible in this stadium. Sometimes good defending is also courage. It's important to play the moments correctly. We will try to play like Shakhtar. We are facing Beşiktaş, if we don't respect them, we will get into trouble."

Arda's record against Beşiktaş

Throughout his coaching career, Arda Turan has faced Beşiktaş three times, losing every encounter. While managing Eyüpspor, Turan's side lost to the Black Eagles 4-0 in the 2023-2024 Turkish Cup, and 2-1 and 3-1 in the Süper Lig during the 2024-2025 season. Furthermore, in his entire playing and coaching career when visiting Beşiktaş at their home ground, Turan has only secured one victory in 11 matches. His sole triumph at Dolmabahçe came when he was playing for Atletico Madrid in a UEFA Europa League fixture.

New signings ready for debut

New Beşiktaş signings Tammy Abraham, David Jurasek, and Orkun Kökçü are all poised to make their official competitive debuts tonight, should Head Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer give them the nod. The 33-player squad list submitted to UEFA by the Black Eagles also includes players who spent last season on loan and have returned to the club. Footballers such as Demir Ege Tıknaz, Kartal Kayra Yılmaz, Al-Musrati, Can Keleş, and Tayfur Bingöl will also be hoping for a chance to impress the Norwegian tactician.

Match details: Kick-off time and how to watch

The UEFA Europa League 2nd Qualifying Round first leg between Beşiktaş and Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk will kick off tonight at 21:00 (Istanbul Time) at Tüpraş Stadium. The match will be officiated by Bulgarian referee Georgi Kabakov and will be broadcast live on HT Spor.

This evening's match marks Beşiktaş's 132nd appearance in the competition, which has been known as both the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Europa League. In their previous 131 matches, the Black Eagles have recorded 57 wins, 25 draws, and 49 losses. They have scored 207 goals while conceding 172.

Including the Shakhtar Donetsk clash, Beşiktaş will be playing their 253rd match in European competitions. In their previous 252 encounters, the Istanbul giants have secured 95 victories, 49 draws, and 108 defeats. They have found the net 338 times while conceding 384 goals.