Benin’s Junior Olaïtan, leader of the Europa League assists rankings, is tipped to start for Besiktas against Celtic on Thursday. Wilfred Ndidi and Emmanuel Agbadou line up alongside him.
Besiktas travel to Celtic on Thursday 5 November at 20:00 GMT for matchday 4 of the Europa League. Head coach Vincenzo Italiano is expected to name three Africans in his starting XI: Nigerian midfielder Wilfred Ndidi, Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Agbadou and Benin forward Junior Olaïtan, according to foot-africa.com.
If eyes are turning to Glasgow, it is also because Junior Olaïtan tops the competition’s assists chart. With three assists and four goal contributions in total, the Benin man is at the heart of his team’s attacking play.
Olaïtan, the leading creator
Junior Olaïtan is more than a finisher. His three assists put him top of the Europa League assists rankings, according to foot-africa.com, which credits him with four goal contributions in total.
On 22 October, against Crystal Palace (2-2), he equalised in the 73rd minute with a low diagonal strike from outside the box after beating two opponents.
Ndidi and Agbadou in the XI
Wilfred Ndidi had opened the scoring against Crystal Palace on 22 October. That goal was his first of the season and his first in European competition for Besiktas since February 2022, against Randers.
At the back, Emmanuel Agbadou is expected in central defence alongside Djalo to hold off the Scottish attacks.
Plenty at stake in Glasgow
Besiktas head to Glasgow aiming to take three points and stay in the Europa League top 8, according to foot-africa.com.
Kick-off is set for 20:00 GMT this Thursday 5 November 2026. The club has not yet confirmed the three Africans in the starting XI: foot-africa.com reports that they will start.