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

The visitors are aiming for their sixth triumph on the road, while the hosts will look to maintain their unbeaten streak at home.

Match preview

Besiktas saw the gap between them and the top two become wider after they could only manage a 1-1 draw with Ankaragucu last time out.

Former Arsenal and Liverpool man Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain saved the Black Eagles from another defeat on the road as he restored parity in the 74th minute after Ali Sowe's early goal for Ankaragucu.

Caretaker manager Riza Calimbay's side are currently third in the Super Lig table with 26 points after 14 matches, level on points with fourth-placed Kayserispor and 11 points off the top two teams.

Defeat this weekend could see Besiktas drop out of the top four if other teams around them win their matches, and missing out on European qualification next season could prove fatal for a team already out of the Europa Conference League this season.

However, the Black Eagles have been solid at home so far, with five wins and one draw, while they have also not lost a Super Lig home match to Fenerbahce since November 2014.

Fenerbahce bounced back from the 6-1 thrashing at Nordsjaelland in the Europa Conference League to pick up a 4-1 victory over Sivasspor in the Super Lig last time out.

The Yellow Canaries remain at the top of the league with 37 points after 14 matches, level on points with second-placed Galatasaray.

Ismail Kartal's men are unbeaten on the road so far and will look to end their nine-year wait for a win at Besiktas this weekend.

With Galatasaray playing on Friday, Fenerbahce might be three points behind their Istanbul rivals before taking to the field on Saturday, putting more pressure on the visitors heading into the match.

Besiktas Turkish Super Lig form:

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Besiktas form (all competitions):

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Fenerbahce Turkish Super Lig form:

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Fenerbahce form (all competitions):

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Team News

Calimbay has an extensive injury list, which has impacted his side's performances massively this season.

Long-term absentees include Tayyib Talha Sanuc (ACL), Emrecan Uzunhan (ACL), Arthur Masuaku (thigh) and Valentin Rosier (foot).

Players hopeful of returning by the end of the year include Arda Kilic and Milot Rashica.

Meanwhile, Omar Colley is doubtful for the clash as he looks to shake off a knee injury that he picked up against Ankaragucu.

Fenerbahce also have several injury issues, with Mert Hakan Yandas, Miha Zajc and Rodrigo Becao all sidelined with muscle issues.

Serdar Aziz (ankle) and Lincoln (knee) will also miss the game, while Alexander Djiku is not match-fit after returning to training following a leg break.

Joshua King and Luan Peres are doubtful for the match and will need to go through late fitness tests to determine their availability.

Besiktas possible starting lineup:

Gunok; Meras, Amartey, Uysal, Bulut; Hadziahmetovic; Muleka, Fernandes, Ucan, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Aboubakar

Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:

Livakovic; Kadioglu, Akaydin, Oosterwolde, Osayi-Samuel; Crespo, Fred; Tadic, Szymanski, Kahveci; Dzeko

We say: Besiktas 1-2 Fenerbahce

Besiktas have a solid home record so far, but this will be the toughest test yet in front of their fans.

Fenerbahce are high on confidence at the moment and will have a feeling that this is the best time to stop their winless run at Besiktas.

We are backing the league leaders to edge this one.

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