The Turkish Super Lig's most intense rivalry will be reignited as Fenerbahce welcome Trabzonspor to the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Round 30, with the hosts desperate to avoid any further slip-ups in their title pursuit.
Both teams head into this clash following fiery cup encounters with contrasting outcomes, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown on Sunday.
Match preview
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Jose Mourinho's turbulent relationship with Galatasaray since joining Fenerbahce last summer is well documented, with the Portuguese tactician having served a two-match ban in February after being sanctioned by the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) for comments about match officials following his side's previous meeting with Galatasaray.
Adding to the controversy, Galatasaray accused Mourinho of making racist remarks after that game, a claim he has since taken legal action against, with a verdict still pending.
The rivalry took another dramatic turn during Wednesday's Turkish Cup quarter-final, where Mourinho was caught grabbing the nose of Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk on the touchline, an act both the Portuguese manager and Fenerbahce insist was provoked.
He is now expected to face disciplinary action from the TFF after his side suffered a 2-1 defeat in the game, ending their hopes of cup silverware this season.
Currently six points adrift of league leaders Galatasaray, albeit with a game in hand, Mourinho will need to keep his emotions in check when Fenerbahce host Trabzonspor.
His previous encounter with the Black Sea Storm also saw him fined and handed a one-game ban for comments about the referee after Fener claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory in the reverse fixture.
Interestingly, the last three meetings between these sides have all ended in 3-2 scorelines, with the away side winning on each occasion, but Fenerbahce will be eager to break that trend as they aim to reduce the gap to Galatasaray to just three points, with only eight matches left to play.
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Trabzonspor finished just behind Fenerbahce last season, but this campaign has been a different story, as they currently sit in 10th place, with hopes of securing European football long extinguished.
However, what the Black Sea Storm always bring to this fixture is determination, and their fighting spirit seems to have been reignited following the appointment of Fatih Tekke as manager.
His tenure began with an emphatic 3-0 victory away at Istanbul Basaksehir, followed by a 1-1 home draw that may have felt slightly underwhelming, though that disappointment was quickly forgotten after Wednesday's dramatic 3-2 extra-time win over Bodrumspor in the Turkish Cup quarter-finals.
The match was a chaotic affair, featuring three red cards, two for Trabzonspor and one for Bodrumspor, before January signing Oleksandr Zubkov netted a decisive winner in extra time.
Having ended their struggles on the road with the triumph over Basaksehir, Trabzonspor will be eager to maintain their momentum and secure a strong finish to the season.
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Team News
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Fenerbahce have several injury concerns, with Diego Carlos, Jayden Oosterwolde and Rodrigo Becao all sidelined, and the latter two unlikely to feature again this season.
Omar Fayed is a doubt, but Emre Mor is available after serving a suspension for accumulated yellow cards.
In attack, Talisca and Youssef En-Nesyri are expected to continue as the preferred front two, with Edin Dzeko likely to start from the bench.
Trabzonspor also have multiple injury absentees, as Arsenii Batahov, Anthony Nwakaeme and Huseyin Turkmen remain sidelined, with their return expected later this month.
Onuralp Cevikkan and Borna Barisic are facing longer spells out, with their recoveries unlikely to be completed before the end of the season.
The team's top scorer Simon Banza, who was suspended for the Bodrumspor clash due to yellow card accumulation, marked his return with a goal in the Turkish Cup and is set to lead the line once again.
Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:
Egribayat; Skriniar, Akcicek, Muldur; Aydin, Amrabat, Szymanski, Kostic; Kahveci; En-Neysri, Talisca
Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:
Cakir; Malheiro, Yokuslu, Saatci, Eskihellac; Lundstram, Mendy; Visca, Tufan, Zubkov; Banza
We say: Fenerbahce 4-2 Trabzonspor
Fenerbahce are highly motivated, especially with Galatasaray now within reach, and we believe they will secure victory here despite Trabzonspor's resurgence under Tekke.
The hosts boast impressive attacking depth, which has proven crucial in recent weeks, and we expect that firepower to make the difference once again.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
