Celtic host Beşiktaş on 5 November 2026 in Matchday 4 of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League league phase with sharply contrasting records: zero points for the Scottish club and seven for the Turkish side after three matches. That gap comes from three Celtic defeats versus two Beşiktaş wins and a draw. The official scores also show a defensive difference: Celtic have conceded nine goals, compared with five for their opponents.
The match is scheduled at Celtic Park in Glasgow at 20:00 local time (GMT), which is 21:00 Central European Time (CET), 23:00 in Türkiye and 17:00 in Brasília. This comparison covers only the three league phase matches played by each team as of 29 October 2026. Domestic fixtures, qualifying matches and future results are excluded.
How the teams reached zero and seven points
The UEFA results account for the points without any need for forecasts. Celtic lost at home to Ferencváros and Celta and away to Benfica. Beşiktaş beat Marseille in Istanbul, defeated Hoffenheim away and drew at home against Crystal Palace.
| Club | Date | Match and score | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celtic | 17/09/2026 | Celtic 1-3 Ferencváros | Loss |
| Celtic | 15/10/2026 | Benfica 4-1 Celtic | Loss |
| Celtic | 22/10/2026 | Celtic 1-2 Celta | Loss |
| Beşiktaş | 17/09/2026 | Beşiktaş 4-1 Marseille | Win |
| Beşiktaş | 15/10/2026 | Hoffenheim 2-3 Beşiktaş | Win |
| Beşiktaş | 22/10/2026 | Beşiktaş 2-2 Crystal Palace | Draw |
After three rounds, Celtic have three goals scored and nine conceded, a goal difference of minus six. Beşiktaş have nine scored and five conceded, giving them a goal difference of plus four. Celtic scored exactly once in each game, while the Turkish side scored four, three and two goals respectively. These figures are calculated from the six official scorelines above; they are not performance estimates.
Why defending matters, but is not the whole explanation
Celtic conceded three against Ferencváros, four against Benfica and two against Celta: an average of three goals allowed per match. Beşiktaş conceded one against Marseille, two against Hoffenheim and two against Crystal Palace: five in three games, or about 1.67 per match. Neither team kept a clean sheet in those fixtures.
Celtic allowed four more goals over the same sample, but the seven-point gap is not solely a measure of defensive strength. Beşiktaş also scored six more goals and converted two of their three outings into wins. Those scorelines alone cannot establish that any specific tactical system caused the goals conceded, nor can they predict the result in Glasgow.
What Matchday 4 could change
UEFA selected Celtic vs Beşiktaş among the round’s featured fixtures. According to its 29 October preview, coach Martin O'Neill maintained that Celtic still have a chance of progressing, while stressing the need for positive results both at home and away. In the Turkish press, BirGün listed Beşiktaş in eighth place after three matches, a position that remains provisional.
The league phase features 36 clubs, each facing eight different opponents. The top eight qualify directly for the round of 16; teams placed ninth through 24th enter the knockout play-offs, while those below are eliminated. Celtic’s pointless start therefore does not by itself mean elimination, just as seven points do not guarantee Beşiktaş early qualification. The 5 November match will affect both campaigns but cannot settle either one on its own.
Sources and references
- UEFA, Matchday 4 briefing published on 29 October 2026
- UEFA, league phase fixtures and results by club
- UEFA, results from the first three matchdays in 2026/27
- Celtic FC, 14 October 2026 announcement confirming venue and kick-off
- UEFA, league phase format and knockout qualification rules
- BirGün, Beşiktaş's standing after three matchdays
