Two sides at opposite ends of the Turkish Super Lig standings will face off at Tupras Stadyumu on Monday night when Besiktas play host to a struggling Konyaspor.
Aside from the three points on offer, both these sides will be playing for the psychological advantage before they meet in nine days' time to contest the Turkish Cup quarter-final.
Match preview
© Reuters
Besiktas saw the gap to second-placed Fenerbahce widen to a massive 24 points last weekend when they delivered a blunt performance that ended in a goalless draw away to lower-half opponents Kayserispor.
However, while that was an against-the-odds outcome, it should not have come as a massive surprise as Besiktas have been far from convincing for the majority of the season, owing in part to a massive injury list.
That result saw the Black Eagles drop to fourth place in the league standings, overtaken by Trabzonspor, although the pair are still locked on 40 points apiece, with the Burgundy Blues ahead only on goal difference.
While Champions League qualification is probably unlikely for Fernando Santos's side, their participation in any European competition next term is far from guaranteed, with Kasimpasa right on their shoulders, just one point behind.
Still, the hosts will gain some confidence from their record against this opponent as they emerged victorious 2-0 in the reverse fixture back in October, which extended their unbeaten run against Konyaspor to four matches (W2 D2 L0) dating back to December 2021.
© Reuters
While Besiktas have had their fair share of struggles in the league this season, it pales in comparison to what is shaping up to be a nightmare campaign for Konyaspor, who would have ambitions of pulling closer to the top four after finishing last term in eighth place.
Instead, the Anatolian Eagles head into gameweek 26 with just 25 points on the board and firmly in the scrap for top-flight survival, currently trailing Alanyaspor - the first side above the drop zone - by three points.
The one positive for Fahrudin Omerovic's side is that the bottom half of the table is separated by just six points, barring cut-adrift Istanbulspor, and a run of positive results could change the complexion of things fairly quickly.
Omerovic will be hoping that that positive run starts now after securing his first win since arriving in Konya, beating Ankaragucu 1-0 last weekend and taking his tally to six points earned in his first five games in charge (W1 D3 L1).
However, securing a second consecutive league win will require the new manager to halt an 11-match winless run for the visitors, with his side having not tasted victory on the road since the start of September last year.
Team News
© Reuters
Santos's already extensive injury list was added to last week, with Tayfur Bingol now set for a spell on the sideline after tearing a muscle in his thigh.
Amir Hadziahmetovic has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to an ACL injury, while Salih Ucan and Emrecan Uzunhan's likelihoods of returning this term are still uncertain.
Rachid Ghezzal (hamstring), Milot Rashica (thigh) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (muscle) are still several weeks away from returning from their injuries, and Arda Kilic is flagged as a doubt.
Omerovic will be without the services of forward Marlos Moreno, who will be serving a one-match suspension for an accumulation of yellow cards, which should see Sokol Cikalleshi continue to lead the line.
Louka Prip scored the winner last time out against Ankaragucu and should keep his place in the attacking midfield trio alongside Alexandru Cicaldau and Valon Ethemi.
Besiktas possible starting lineup:
Gunok; Svensson, Worrall, Colley, Masuaku; Elmusrati, Muci, Fernandes; Tosun, Kilicsoy, Muleka
Konyaspor possible starting lineup:
Slowik; Oguz, Damjanovic, Yazgili, Haubert; Dikmen, N'Zonzi; Ethemi, Cicaldau, Prip; Cikalleshi
We say: Besiktas 2-0 Konyaspor
While Besiktas have been far from their best this season, they have performed better when playing on their home patch. This is a must-win for the Black Eagles, and we feel they will rise to the challenge.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Devesh Jaganath
