Crystal Palace have travelled to Istanbul to face Beşiktaş in their third game of the Europa League league phase. Palace will be looking to record not only a positive result, but a much improved performance following the disappointment across the last seven days. 

Palace fell to defeat in Lyon after another poor first half performance, followed by what can only be described as a demolition job against rivals Brighton. 

Now, Palace face potentially their biggest test to date, travelling to the football hotbed that is Istanbul to play in one of Europe’s most hostile atmospheres. 

Team news and fitness update

In his pre-match press conference ahead of the game, Sage revealed the latest injury news in preparation for the game, which included a slightly surprising name. 

Ben Chilwell is back with the squad and travelled to Turkey, but that good news was paired with the update that Takehiro Tomiyasu will not be available until after the next international break, which takes place between the 9th and 17th of November. 

Dean Henderson started to train with the team again on Monday but has not travelled, his fitness being assessed ahead of a potential return to the side at the weekend. 

Quinten Timber will also miss the game, but Sage did not elaborate on that news. This will be the most notable absence for Palace of them all, as Timber has started almost every single game since he signed for the club. 

Beşiktaş could be Palace’s toughest test 

In terms of the Eagle’s Europa League fixtures, an away trip to Beşiktaş should have been circled as one of the more difficult games that Palace would have to play in the league phase of the competition. 

Beşiktaş JK are one of the most decorated Turkish sides in football history. They’ve won 16 Turkish League titles, eleven Turkish Cups and ten Turkish Super Cups, but have never won a European trophy. 

Nicknamed ‘The Black Eagles’, Beşiktaş have enjoyed a flying start to their Europa League campaign. 

Managed by Vincenzo Italiano, they are currently 4th in the league phase having won both of their opening games. A 4-1 win at home to Marseille was followed by a 2-3 win away to Hoffenheim. 

Domestically, they’re struggling somewhat for form, currently sitting 4th in the Trendyol Süper Lig, winning five and losing three of their opening eight games. 

Their most recent outing was a 2-0 loss away to Trabzonspor, Mohammed Salah scoring the second last weekend. 

In terms of standout players that Palace fans need to look out for, Beşiktaş have a number of big names that are coming to the end of their careers. 

Former Brighton and Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard signed for the club in the summer, whilst Wilfried Ndidi of Leicester City fame also plays for the club. 

Young winger Ernest Poku is on loan with the club from Bayer Leverkusen, whilst veteran Turkish midfielder Orkun Kökçü pulls the strings for the side. 

Václav Černý is another one to watch too, with Thursday’s hosts possessing a number of players which could cause serious damage to Palace.  

Expected lineup 

For Palace, a response is so desperately needed from the weekend that there may be little in terms of change for the starting XI, so here is the RoundTable predicted lineup for the game. 

W.Benítez; Ó.Mingueza, J.Canvot, C.Richards, A.Disasi, T.Mitchell; A.Wharton, D.Kamada; I.Sarr, J.Strand Larsen, Y.Pino.