The UEFA Europa Conference League Third Qualifying Round serves up a fascinating encounter as Irish side St Patrick’s Athletic hosts Turkish giants Beşiktaş JK at Tallaght Stadium in Dublin. This two-legged tie is a pivotal step on the path to the Europa Conference League group stage, with both clubs eager to establish an advantage in the first match. This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between these two clubs, adding an element of unpredictability to the tie.
St Patrick’s Athletic enters the match with a strong home record and an impressive run of form in European qualifiers. The Irish side will be confident in front of their home crowd, aiming to secure a positive result. Beşiktaş, meanwhile, arrives in Ireland under significant pressure. The Turkish side, managed by Ole Gunnar Solskjær, has been struggling with a series of poor results in recent matches and will be desperate to get their European campaign back on track. This clash promises to be a strategic battle with a high level of intensity, as both clubs have a clear path to the play-off round in their sights.
Match Details
- Competition: UEFA Europa Conference League Third Qualifying Round (First Leg)
- Location: Dublin, Ireland
- Stadium: Tallaght Stadium
- Date: Thursday, August 7, 2025
- Kick-off Time: 2:45 PM ET / 7:45 PM IST
- Referee: David Šmajc (Slovenia)
Head-to-Head & Form Guide
There is no known competitive head-to-head record between St Patrick’s and Beşiktaş. As this is their first-ever official meeting, recent form and tactical preparation will be the most important factors heading into this match.
St Patrick’s Athletic:
St Patrick’s Athletic comes into this crucial qualifier on the back of an excellent run of form. They are unbeaten in their last eight matches and have successfully navigated through two qualifying rounds, seeing off Hegelmann and Nõmme Kalju. The Irish side has shown real defensive solidity, conceding just two goals across their last eight matches. They have been particularly effective at home, winning both of their previous European ties in Dublin. Playing at home, they will be looking to their passionate supporters to give them an extra boost and secure a positive result in this first leg.
- August 3, 2025: St Patrick’s Athletic 2-0 Waterford FC (League of Ireland Premier Division)
- July 31, 2025: Nomme Kalju 2-2 St Patrick’s Athletic (Conference League Qualifying)
- July 27, 2025: St Patrick’s Athletic 1-0 Derry City (League of Ireland Premier Division)
- July 24, 2025: St Patrick’s Athletic 1-0 Nomme Kalju (Conference League Qualifying)
Beşiktaş:
Beşiktaş arrives in Ireland under significant pressure. Since being eliminated from the Europa League by Shakhtar Donetsk, the Turkish side has failed to win in five matches (four defeats, one draw), including summer friendlies and their opening Conference League tie. The Black Eagles have been heavily criticized for their defensive frailty, conceding 12 goals in their last six matches, including friendlies. Beşiktaş will be looking to their key players, such as Gedson Fernandes and Tammy Abraham, to find their form and inspire a much-needed victory in this first leg. The match is a chance to salvage some pride and begin rebuilding trust with their fans.
- August 3, 2025: Beşiktaş 1-2 Istanbulspor (Turkish Süper Lig)
- July 31, 2025: Beşiktaş 0-2 Shakhtar Donetsk (Europa League Qualifying)
- July 27, 2025: Beşiktaş 2-4 Shakhtar Donetsk (Europa League Qualifying)
- July 24, 2025: Beşiktaş 1-2 FC Petržalka (Club Friendly)
Tactical Analysis & Key Players
This match is expected to be a fascinating contest between a well-organized and confident St Patrick’s side and a star-studded, but out-of-form, Beşiktaş. St Patrick’s will likely employ a disciplined and defensive approach, looking to frustrate Beşiktaş and exploit any opportunities on the counter-attack. The Irish side will be relying on the pace and creativity of their forward line, with Mason Melia and Aidan Keena being the key players to watch. Beşiktaş, under Ole Gunnar Solskjær, will be looking to dominate possession and use their attacking talent to break down the St Patrick’s defense. The Turkish side’s defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in conceding easy goals, could be a major factor in the game’s outcome. The battle in midfield will be key, as both teams look to control the tempo of the game.
How to Watch St Patrick’s vs. Beşiktaş on TV, Live Stream
| Country | TV/Live Stream |
|---|---|
| Ireland | LOITV, Virgin Media |
| Turkey | N/A |
| United States | beIN SPORTS, Fox Sports |
| United Kingdom | LOITV, TNT Sports |
In Ireland, the match will be available on LOITV and Virgin Media. In the United Kingdom, it will be broadcast on LOITV and TNT Sports. In the United States, the match will be broadcast live on beIN SPORTS and Fox Sports. For other regions, broadcasting information is not yet confirmed. It is also common for some clubs to provide live streams on their official websites or YouTube channels for European qualifiers, so it is worth checking those sources.
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Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
