Two sides with contrasting ambitions clash when Besiktas host Hatayspor at the Tupras Stadyumu on Saturday in the Turkish Super Lig.
The hosts are chasing European qualification, while the visitors are desperate to climb out of the relegation zone.
Match preview
© Reuters
Besiktas were held to a 1-1 draw by Alanyaspor at the Bahcesehir Okullar Arena last Sunday. Jackson Muleka put the Black and Whites ahead just past the hour mark, but they failed to hold on, conceding an equaliser in the 79th minute.
Fernando Santos's men are on 55 points after 36 matches and sit in fifth position. With two matches remaining, they are three points behind fourth-placed Istanbul Basaksehir, who host third-placed Trabzonspor this weekend.
The Istanbul-based club could finish outside the top four for the second time in three seasons, having occupied fourth place for several weeks this campaign.
A lack of consistency has cost the Black and Whites this season, but they desperately need a victory against a side they have beaten in their last two meetings.
Having remained unbeaten in their last four home games across all competitions, the hosts will hope they can count on home support on Saturday.
Hatayspor ended a six-game winless run with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Ankaragucu at the Mersin Stadium last Sunday.
Gokrem Saglam put the Star of the South ahead in the 71st minute, but Federico Macheda got MKE back in the game in the 85th minute. With the game heading for a stalemate, Renat Dadashov grabbed the winner for Hatayspor in the 90th minute.
Ozhan Pulat's side have 37 points after 36 matches and are just one point from safety. However, they will be relegated if they lose on Saturday, while Gaziantep and Ankaragucu both win, and Konyaspor avoid defeat.
Hatayspor are winless in their last six away matches in the Super Lig, and this will cause Pulat some headaches coming into a must-win clash against a side they have never beaten in their stadium.
Team News
© Reuters
Besiktas will be without Amir Hadziahmetovic who is out for the remainder of the season having suffered a cruciate ligament injury in January.
Ante Rebic, Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov, and Tayfur Bingol are all also expected to be out for this one, while Daniel Amartey is doubtful due to personal reasons.
Hatayspor currently have no injuries or suspensions to report and should be able to field a full-strength team this weekend.
Carlos Strandberg, who is his side's top scorer with seven league goals, should start up front, while attacking midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru will likely continue behind him.
Besiktas possible starting lineup:
Gunok; Svensson, Sanuc, Uysal, Masuaku; Fernandes, Ucan; Bulut, Muci, Muleka; Tosun
Hatayspor possible starting lineup:
Kardesler; Ghoulam, Demir, Kilama, Corekci; Massanga; Fernandes, Dele-Bashiru, Boudjemma, Sinik; Strandberg
We say: Besiktas 1-0 Hatayspor
Besiktas are in their pursuit of a European spot and with the two sides ahead of them facing off, this is the perfect opportunity to close the gap. The hosts are favorites here and we expect them to edge it.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
