- Inter Turku have won two and drawn three of their last five matches (2-1 W, 0-0 D, 1-1 D). Istanbul Basaksehir FK have won two, drawn two and lost one of their last five games (1-1 D, 2-1 W). Basaksehir have won twice, drawn twice and lost twice in their six competitive away games since the start of the 2024/25 season. Inter have won once and drawn twice at home across all competitions, conceding two goals.
Turks to be tougher than they seem
A closely fought UEFA Conference League Qualification return leg tie between FC Inter Turku and Istanbul Basaksehir FK, which is locked at 1-1 on aggregate ahead of Thursday's return fixture, looks like it could go either way.
The hosts have been solid in their home patch in Finland, where they have won once and drawn twice across all competitions, while Basaksehir have proven capable of leaving their mark in away games.
Nuri Şahin's side, who will push forward in numbers and like to control the midfield with their possession-heavy 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 system, will stretch Inter's compact 4-3-3 system out of position and test their ability to remain disciplined in their low-to-mid block. But the visitors have won just two and lost two of their six away fixtures since the beginning of the 2024/25 campaign, so the door is open to the home side.
Hosts are in good nick
Basaksehir are the obvious favourites here at 1.68, but FC Inter Turku are an interesting option at 4.89, especially as the visitors haven't been the most convincing team of late.
Inter have drawn their most recent two games and the first leg against Basaksehir ended 1-1, but the Finns have looked solid and dependable rather than spectacular. Their most recent three results read a 2-1 home win over FK Sarajevo, a 0-0 away draw with FF Jaro and the 1-1 draw away to Basaksehir, so they have kept the momentum going.
Vesa Vasara has got Inter drilled into a compact, counter-punching unit since taking over in January 2024 and their structure has certainly helped them get this far, while Basaksehir's more positive style could well see Inter's speedy wide men get into some promising positions.
Betting tips
The odds do suggest that the Turks are likelier to win this game, but the 1-1 first-leg draw suggests this could be a tight encounter. Basaksehir have won five, drawn three and lost two of their ten games in all competitions and Inter are undefeated in their last ten (won four, drawn six), so our play for this one is Both Teams To Score: No at 1.93.
Basaksehir's Emin Bayram has given them the advantage with his solitary goal in one UEFA Conference League Qualification appearance so far and Alie Conteh is Inter's danger man, having scored twice in his three games in this competition and three in his last five appearances in all fixtures.
