The UEFA Europa Conference League Third Qualifying Round serves up a highly anticipated clash as Norwegian side Viking hosts Turkish giants İstanbul Başakşehir at the SR-Bank Arena. This is the first-ever competitive meeting between these two clubs, adding an element of unpredictability to the tie as both teams vie for a crucial advantage in the first leg.
Viking comes into this match in fantastic form, having demonstrated a potent attack in their previous qualifying matches. Their home ground will be a key factor, with the team looking to leverage their strong domestic form. İstanbul Başakşehir, meanwhile, brings a blend of attacking talent and defensive solidity, having dominated their last qualifying fixture. 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: Stavanger, Norway
- Stadium: SR-Bank Arena
- Date: Thursday, August 7, 2025
- Kick-off Time: 1:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CEST
- Referee: Miguel Nogueira (Portugal)
Head-to-Head & Form Guide
There is no known competitive head-to-head record between Viking and İstanbul Başakşehir. As this is their first-ever official meeting, recent form and tactical preparation will be the most important factors heading into this match.
Viking:
Viking enters this crucial qualifier on the back of an impressive run, winning three of their last five matches across all competitions. Their most recent result was a thrilling 5-3 away victory against FC Koper, showcasing their high-octane attacking style. The team has been particularly impressive in front of goal, scoring 13 goals in their last five matches, with key contributions from Peter Christiansen and Zlatko Tripic. However, their defense has shown some vulnerability, having conceded eight goals in the same period, which İstanbul Başakşehir will look to exploit.
- August 3, 2025: Viking 1–2 Elfsborg (Norwegian Eliteserien)
- July 31, 2025: Koper 3–5 Viking (Conference League Qualifying)
- July 27, 2025: Viking 1–6 Djurgårdens IF (Norwegian Eliteserien)
- July 24, 2025: Viking 7–0 Koper (Conference League Qualifying)
İstanbul Başakşehir:
İstanbul Başakşehir also comes into this match in strong form, with a record of three wins, one draw, and one loss in their last five matches. Their most recent outing resulted in an emphatic 4-0 home victory against Cherno More Varna, highlighting their potential to dominate opponents. The Turkish side has demonstrated a good balance between attack and defense, scoring 11 goals and conceding only four in their last five matches. Key players to watch include Krzysztof Piatek and Yusuf Sari, who have been instrumental in their recent European campaign.
- July 31, 2025: İstanbul Başakşehir 4–0 Cherno More (Conference League Qualifying)
- July 24, 2025: Cherno More 0–1 İstanbul Başakşehir (Conference League Qualifying)
- July 18, 2025: İstanbul Başakşehir 2–3 Adana Demirspor (Turkish Süper Lig)
- July 11, 2025: İstanbul Başakşehir 1–4 Sivasspor (Turkish Süper Lig)
Tactical Analysis & Key Players
This match is expected to be a high-octane encounter between two teams that favor attacking football. Viking will likely seek to establish a high tempo from the start, utilizing their home advantage to press İstanbul Başakşehir and create scoring opportunities. The Norwegian side’s attacking prowess, led by the likes of Zlatko Tripic and Peter Christiansen, will be a significant threat. İstanbul Başakşehir, under coach Çağdaş Atan, is known for their high-pressing and offensive style of play, which could create a thrilling, end-to-end contest. The battle in the midfield will be crucial, and whichever team can assert control and exploit the defensive weaknesses of the other will likely come out on top.
How to Watch Viking vs. İstanbul Başakşehir on TV, Live Stream
| Country | TV/Live Stream |
|---|---|
| Norway | N/A |
| Turkey | beIN SPORTS |
| United States | beIN SPORTS, Fox Sports |
| United Kingdom | N/A |
In the United States, the match will be broadcast live on beIN SPORTS and Fox Sports. In Turkey, the match will be available on beIN 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.
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
Mobile & PC | Auto Quality
