The race for European football in the Turkish Super Lig hots up on Sunday evening as Fenerbahce host Besiktas in a game which could decide who finishes in second this season.
Both sides come into this clash having won their last two matches before the international break, and they now face a dramatic two months to decide the fate of their campaigns.
Match preview
© Reuters
After a second-placed finish in the 2021-22 campaign, Fenerbahce are on a mission to go one step further this term and earn their first Super Lig title since the 2013-14 season.
Jorge Jesus's men are on good form to achieve such a feat - they are currently enjoying a seven-game unbeaten streak, including three successive wins domestically before the international break.
La Liga side Sevilla proved too mighty for Sari Kanaryalar over two legs in the Europa League, but apart from a 2-0 loss in Spain, Fenerbahce have not tasted defeat since early January.
Goals from Sergio Oliveira, Kerem Akturkoglu and Mauro Icardi gave league leaders Galatasaray a crucial win over Jesus's men back in January - a result which has hindered Fenerbahce title hopes.
The Istanbul-based club are sitting in second in the Super Lig standings, six points behind Okan Buruk's side - although Fenerbahce have played a game fewer than their title rivals.
© Reuters
Besiktas are back among matters at the top end of the Turkish Super Lig following a disappointing sixth-placed finish last season - their worst result in the league since the 1997-98 campaign.
As they failed to qualify for European football this term, the club have been afforded the luxury of focusing solely on domestic matches, with Senol Gunes's men currently on a four-game unbeaten run.
Only league leaders Galatasaray have earned more points on home soil so far this season, so it is natural to blame the team's away form on why they are not genuinely challenging for a 17th league title.
The Black Eagles have won just five of their 12 fixtures away from Vodafone Park so far, with over 60% of their Super Lig points coming in front of their home faithful as they fight for European places.
Gunes's side have a four-point advantage over fourth-placed Adana Demirspor in the league standings - the meeting between the two clubs in late May could be a fixture that decides who earns Europa Conference League qualification.
Team News
© Reuters
Fenerbahce have been dealt some huge blows in attacking areas ahead of Sunday's clash, with Belgium international Michy Batshuayi set to be sidelined until late April with a hamstring injury.
The hosts are also preparing to be without the services of 25-goal striker Enner Valencia for the majority of April - the 33-year-old is leading the league's scoring charts by a large distance.
Centre-back Gustavo Henrique is expected to miss the remainder of the season due to a cruciate ligament injury, with Serdar Aziz a likely candidate to partner Samet Akaydin in defence.
Besiktas will travel on Sunday night without defender Tayyib Sanuc after the 23-year-old suffered a hamstring injury in the 3-1 win over Istanbulspor prior to the international break.
Right-back Valentin Rosier will also be absent for the visitors as he recovers from a neck injury, meaning Onur Bulut will retain his place on the right side of the Besiktas backline.
Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:
Bayindir; Kadioglu, Akaydin, Aziz, Osayi-Samuel; Rossi, Arao, Yusek, Kahveci; Pedro, Dursun
Besiktas possible starting lineup:
Gunok; Bulut, Saiss, Colley, Masuaku; Hadziahmetovic, Ghezzal, Ucan, Fernandes, Tosun; Aboubakar
We say: Fenerbahce 1-2 Besiktas
Fenerbahce are coming into this game in great form in the Super Lig, but we feel injuries to Batshuayi and Valencia will severely affect their offensive threat on Sunday.
Besiktas are unbeaten on the road against Fenerbahce since 2019, and we believe Gunes's men will continue that run with a victory this time out.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Carter White
