Preview: Royal Antwerp vs. Istanbul Basaksehir - prediction, team news, lineups

Off the back of a stalemate 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 contest.

Match preview

Istanbul Basaksehir saw off the challenge of Kayserispor courtesy of a 2-0 routine victory at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium on Sunday.

Emre Belozoglu's men set the ball rolling with Nacer Chadli's 21st-minute opener before Berkay Ozcan netted in the early exchanges of the second half to seal the deal.

The Grey Owls sit second in the Super Lig table with seven points from a possible nine so far, level on points with current leaders Fenerbahce.

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

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

Royal Antwerp were perhaps the happier of the two sides when the final whistle sounded in last week's 1-1 draw against Istanbul Basaksehir.

Mark van Bommel's men went behind to Mounir Chouiar's strike nine minutes into the second period but a late strike from Dinis Almeida restored parity.

While The Reds failed to pick up an eighth successive win, they are now unbeaten in each of their last 15 games dating back to last season.

With three clean sheets in their most recent four home matches, Thursday's hosts will be looking to keep it tight at the back en route to another positive result.

Royal Antwerp Europa Conference League form:

Royal Antwerp form (all competitions):

Istanbul Basaksehir Europa Conference League form:

Istanbul Basaksehir form (all competitions):

Team News

Nacer Chadli found the back of the net on his return to action for Basaksehir against Kayserispor and the Belgian is expected to retain his place in the starting XI here.

Lucas Lima proved to be a real attacking menace for the home side in the aforementioned game where he supplied two assists, making him one to keep an eye on.

Having scored 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 the home side since the beginning of February.

Royal Antwerp possible starting lineup:

Butez; Pacho, Alderweireld, Almeida; Vines, Yusuf, Gerkens, De Laet; Nainggolan, Frey, Ekkelenkamp

Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:

Sengezer; Caicara, Ndayishimiye, Touba, Lima; Biglia, Aleksic, Ozcan; Turuc, Chadli, Szysz

We say: Royal Antwerp 2-1 Istanbul Basaksehir

The teams are unbeaten in their last 34 games combined which highlights the level of competition on show here. We are expecting an open and end-to-end match with Royal Antwerp just about getting the better of Basaksehir in the end.

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