Besiktas and Istanbul Basaksehir lock horns this weekend in a clash that could significantly influence the race for European qualification in the Turkish Super Lig.
The Black Eagles currently sit fourth with 48 points, six ahead of Saturday's visitors and two spots clear – however, their hold on that position is anything but secure.
Match preview
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Besiktas have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, failing to capitalise on Samsunspor's dip in form in the race for third place.
Despite being just a point above fifth-placed Eyupspor, they have only managed one win in their last four league games, a narrow but morale-boosting 2-1 victory over rivals Galatasaray.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men snatched a dramatic 1-1 draw at Kasimpasa last time out, with Gedson Fernandes scoring a stoppage-time penalty despite the side being down to 10 men since the 44th minute.
With eight matches remaining, and one more fixture to play than both Samsunspor and Eyupspor, Besiktas will be eyeing this game as a key opportunity to strengthen their grip on a European place.
The hosts are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Basaksehir (W2 D2), and they have only lost once in their previous eight league games at Tupras Stadium.
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But Basaksehir have their own ambitions, and appear to have hit form at the right time, as the Grey Owls sit sixth and could close the gap to just three points with a win on Saturday.
They have picked up form at the right time, winning back-to-back games, including a 1-0 victory over Konyaspor last weekend, thanks to Krzysztof Piatek finally ending his goal drought.
Their last away match was a 3-1 win over Eyupspor, snapping a three-game winless streak on the road, which could help them feel optimistic heading into this affair.
However, history does not favour them in trips to the Tupras Stadium, where they have only won twice in 20 visits and lost half of those encounters.
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Team News
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Besiktas will be without a number of key players, with Felix Uduokhai, Emirhan Topcu, Elan Ricardo, Necip Uysal and Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov all ruled out through injury.
Tayyip Talha Sanuc and Semih Kilicsoy are suspended, so Emrecan Terzi could be drafted in as a makeshift centre-back.
Up front, with Ciro Immobile struggling for form, young striker Mustafa Erhan Hekimoglu is expected to lead the line.
Basaksehir also have players missing, albeit not as much as the hosts, with only Jerome Opoku and Onur Ergun out due to injury.
Although Ivan Trnic started on the left wing against Konyaspor, Deniz Turuc is expected to return to the starting XI for this one.
Besiktas possible starting lineup:
Gunok; Masuaku, Paulista, Terzi, Svensson; Fernandes, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Mario, Rafa, Arroyo; Hekimoglu
Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup:
Sengezer; Sahiner, Duarte, Ba, Operi; Ozdemir, Crespo, Kemen; Turuc, Piatek, Sari
We say: Besiktas 2-1 Istanbul Basaksehir
Besiktas have had their issues at the back, which could keep this contest tighter than expected. However, the hosts' superior attacking quality and their ability to create more clear-cut chances than Basaksehir should give them the edge in what is likely to be a closely-fought encounter.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
