Besiktas vs Spurs - form guide and facts

Besiktas top the Turkish Supa Liga as we prepare to battle it out for first place in Europa League, Group C at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, this evening (Thursday, December 11).

We drew 1-1 at the Lane back in October as a late penalty from Demba Ba cancelled out Harry Kane's opener.

As it stands - We will will progress as winners of Group C if we avoid defeat at the Ataturk Stadium.

Since we last met - Besiktas have played 11 times in all competitions since our draw at the Lane on October 2, winning eight, losing two and drawing against Asteras Tripolis in the Europa League. They come into this game with five wins in six in all competitions.

Domestic form - The 13-times champions top the Turkish Supa Liga by a point from Galatasaray with Fenerbache a further point adrift. They’ve won their last four on the trot in the league.

European form - Like us, Besiktas are unbeaten in Group C but with two wins and three draws compared to out three wins and two draws. They are also unbeaten at home in their last five European matches.

Last time out - Besiktas enjoyed a 3-0 win against Trabzonspor on Sunday with goals from Demba Ba, Veli Kavlak and Cenk Tosun.

Ba on song - Former Chelsea and Newcastle striker Demba Ba – who scored Besiktas’ late equaliser at the Lane in October – has 16 goals in all competitions this season and 13 in the last 12. However, he’s an injury doubt for Thursday.

Other team news - Midfielder Atiba Hutchinson is suspended.

Familiar faces - As well as Ba, Besiktas’s Kerim Koyunlu spent time at Fulham and Cardiff (when he was known as Karim Frei) while coach Slaven Bilic played for West Ham.

We’ve met before - This is the second time we’ve travelled to Istanbul to face Besiktas – but this time it’s at a different stadium. We faced the Black Eagles at their Inonu Stadium in October, 2006 and ran out 2-0 winners thanks to goals from Hossam Ghaly and Dimitar Berbatov. We also drew 1-1 at the Lane back in October.

Ataturk Olympic Stadium - Besiktas’ Inonu Stadium is being re-built, so this match will be at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium to the west of the city. The stadium famously hosted Liverpool’s Champions League Final win against AC Milan in 2005, when the Reds came from 3-0 down to win the trophy on penalties.

Besiktas' record vs English teams - Besiktas have faced Villa, Leeds, Bolton, Chelsea, United, Liverpool and Arsenal since 1982 and have an overall record of four wins and five draws from 17 matches.