Alanyaspor and Besiktas will face off at the Alanya Oba Stadium on Sunday, both desperate for points as the 2024-25 Turkish Super Lig nears its conclusion.
The hosts are just three points clear of the relegation zone, while Besiktas sit third and need a win to secure Europa League qualification.
Match preview
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Alanyaspor gave their survival hopes a significant boost with a vital 1-0 victory over Gaziantep last time out, a result that not only ended a two-game winless run but also created a three-point cushion between themselves and the relegation zone.
With difficult fixtures still to come against Konyaspor and fellow relegation rivals Sivasspor, the hosts are fully aware that every point is vital in these closing stages.
Sunday's meeting with Besiktas presents a tough challenge, but Alanyaspor will take heart from their recent head-to-head record, having remained unbeaten in their last three matches against the Black Eagles, drawing the last two 1-1 and winning the other.
Joao Pereira's men have also relied heavily on their home form in their survival push, winning six of their last 10 league games at the Alanya Oba Stadium, though their last home outing ended in a 1-1 draw with Kayserispor, they will hope to go one better this time.
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Besiktas, however, come into this match with momentum and renewed confidence, having stayed unbeaten in their last four Super Lig matches, winning the last three.
Their most recent outing saw them cruise to a dominant 4-1 win over Adana Demirspor, a result that lifted them over Samsunspor to third in the standings.
The picture has also brightened for the Black Eagles in terms of European qualification, with Galatasaray's recent Turkish Cup triumph ensuring that both third and fourth place in the league will now earn Europa League qualification, while fifth will go into the Europa Conference League.
With a seven-point gap over fifth-placed Istanbul Basaksehir and three matches left to play, victory here would mathematically seal Europa League football for next season.
Besiktas have also found form away from home, ending a run of three road games without a win by beating fierce rivals Fenerbahce 1-0 in their last away fixture, and now they have the opportunity to register back-to-back away wins in the league for the first time since February.
Team News
![Besiktas' Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain pictured in April 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/26/alex-oxlade-chamberlain.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Besiktas' Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain pictured in April 2024 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
Alanyaspor have just one injury concern ahead of Sunday's clash, with Buluthan Bulut ruled out.
Pereira opted for a 3-4-2-1 formation in the win over Gaziantep and is likely to stick with the same setup, and Andraz Sporar, who caught the eye with a strong performance in that match is expected to lead the line once again.
Besiktas, meanwhile, were dealt a blow last time out as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain picked up an injury, joining Salih Ucan on the sidelines.
As a result, Amir Hadziahmetovic and Gedson Fernandes are set to play in the holding midfield roles.
In defence, Felix Uduokhai is expected to start with Emirhan Topcu also injured, while Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov remains unavailable and Mert Gunok returns to take his place in goal.
Alanyaspor possible starting lineup:
Taskiran; Aksoy, Lima, Aliti; Ozdemir, Richard, Janvier, Hadergjonaj; Cordova, Ui-Jo, Sporar
Besiktas possible starting lineup:
Gunok; Masuaku, Paulista, Uduokhai, Svensson; Hadziahmetovic, Fernandes; Rashica, Rafa, Hekimoglu; Immobile
We say: Alanyaspor 1-2 Besiktas
Alanyaspor will be fighting tooth and nail for survival, but Besiktas' superior quality, recent form and motivation to secure their place in Europe could prove decisive in this encounter, leading to a win for the visitors.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
