THE "Welcome to Hell" posters at Istanbul airport give visiting football teams and their supporters a flavour of what lies in wait for them in the Turkish capital.

The greeting is usually reserved for opponents of Galatasaray, but previous visitors to Besiktas will testify to having found life distinctly uncomfortable at the picturesque 35,000-capacity Inonu Stadium on the banks of the Bosphorus.

Precisely how uncomfortable is something Wanderers will discover for themselves later this month when they enter the group phase.

Sam Allardyce and his Super Whites could hardly have had a tougher start to a difficult group than to kick off against the 11-time Turkish champions, vastly-experienced European campaigners, who were one of the more formidable of the eight teams in the top-seeded pot when the draw was made at UEFA headquarters in Switzerland.

In fact, they will have their work cut out in all four games in Group H, following up their trip to Turkey with a home game against the well-drilled Russian outfit, Zenit St Petersburg, and an awkward trip to play the little known Vitoria Guimaraes in Portugal before rounding off their programme with a tough home game against the Spanish side, Sevilla.

The fight for one of the three qualifying places will be fierce and will be a severe test of Wanderers' European credentials, Nevertheless, if they do qualify for the round of 32 in February, when the 24 group qualifiers will be joined by eight clubs eliminated from the Champions League, they will have earned it, and will have gained invaluable experience along the way.

Sam Allardyce reacted to the draw with a combination of relief and trepidation. The Wanderers boss was pleased to avoid a trip to St Petersburg in the Russian winter and prefers to be playing Sevilla at the Reebok, rather than having to travel to Spain, but facing Besiktas, in what is sure to be a hostile atmosphere, is a daunting prospect.

"We are in an excellent group with some very good sides, who will make it difficult for us," he said. "At this level, all matches will be hard but we are here on merit.

"Playing in Istanbul is always very tricky. Besiktas will be a tough match for us and many English clubs have found it difficult in Turkey in the past. With it being the first game of the group, it will be important to get off to a good start. We'll do our homework and prepare in the right manner for the test.

"We are pleased to be playing Zenit St Petersburg at home. They are currently fourth in the Russian League and look well organised from the reports I've seen.

"The fans will relish playing top Spanish side Sevilla at the Reebok and that should be a night to remember for everyone connected to the club, hopefully in front of a full house.

"We know very little about Guimaraes but it should be warm there and they play at one of the best stadiums in Portugal, which will be nice for the fans."