Preview: Fenerbahce vs. Ankaragucu - prediction, team news, lineups

The Yellow Canaries dropped points in their last home match, an outcome they will be keen to avoid this weekend with Galatasaray breathing down their necks.

Match preview

Fenerbahce remain unbeaten in 11 matches across all competitions, following a hard-fought 1-0 victory over nine-man Istanbul Basaksehir last time out, secured via a last-gasp penalty from Michy Batshuayi.

This result keeps the Yellow Canaries atop the Turkish Super Lig with 57 points, level with second-placed Galatasaray but ahead on goal difference.

The 2023-24 Super Lig title race has been a two-horse affair between Fener and Gala since the season's first half, with both clubs pulling clear of the chasing pack. Ismail Kartal's side looked to be opening up a gap until a disappointing draw against Samsunspor in their previous home match.

Fenerbahce's title charge has been fuelled by their potent attack, which has plundered 59 goals in 22 league games so far - 13 more than their closest rivals, Galatasaray. However, they have struggled to find the net in their last three league matches, scoring just once in each, after netting 12 combined in the two games prior.

Determined to end their 10-year wait for a Super Lig title, the Yellow Canaries will be looking to rediscover their scoring touch and put games to bed, and will certainly fancy their chances against Ankaragucu, a side they have beaten in five consecutive league meetings.

Meanwhile, Ankaragucu extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to five matches with a 2-0 win over Fatih Karagumruk on Wednesday afternoon, courtesy of goals from Ali Kaan Guneren and former Manchester United forward Federico Macheda.

Emre Belozoglu's men climbed to ninth position in the Super Lig standings with a tally of 28 points from the opening 22 matches in the division, sitting six points ahead of 17th-placed Pendikspor and eight points behind Besiktas, who occupy the final European spots.

Sunday's visitors are unbeaten in their last five away matches, drawing four and winning one of those games and have scored in every league match on the road this season.

However, while Ankaragucu will be looking to extend their unbeaten run, away results against Fenerbahce offer little optimism, with just two wins and six defeats in their last eight visits.

Fenerbahce Turkish Super Lig form:

D

W

W

W

D

W

Fenerbahce form (all competitions):

Ankaragucu Turkish Super Lig form:

D

L

D

W

D

W

Ankaragucu form (all competitions):

Team News

Bright Osayi-Samuel is unavailable for the hosts as he is at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, representing Nigeria.

Miguel Crespo (back), Luan Peres (knee) and Serdar Aziz (muscle) are also out due to varying injuries, while Miha Zajc is a doubt owing to a muscle injury.

Fred is also nursing a hamstring injury that will keep out until next month, while January signing Leonardo Bonucci is a doubt due to physical discomfort.

Ankaragucu will also be without the services of midfielder Mendes Rodrigues, who is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations with Cape Verde.

On the injury front, 33-year-old defender Alper Uludag has missed each of the visitors' last six matches through a knee problem and is ruled out of this weekend's clash.

Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:

Livakovic; Muldur, Bonucci, Oosterwolde, Kadioglu; Yuksek, Krunic; Kahveci, Szymanski, Tadic; Dzeko

Ankaragucu possible starting lineup:

Gungordu; Cankaya, Radakovic, Mujakic, Kitsiou; Guneren, Pedrinho; Cephas, Morutan, Chatzigiovanis; Bajic

We say: Fenerbahce 2-1 Ankaragucu

Fenerbahce are favorites for this one, and will see this as the perfect opportunity to improve their output in front of goal. The visitors are no push-overs, so we expect them to put up a decent fight.

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