Preview: Fenerbahce vs. Fatih Karagumruk - prediction, team news, lineups

The visitors, meanwhile, are aiming to claim their second victory of the Turkish Super Lig season after winning only one of their seven games.

Match preview

Fenerbahce may head into the weekend in seventh place, but they are still within touching distance of top spot, especially as they have one game in hand over most sides.

The hosts have only lost one of their seven league matches this term, and they have collected seven points from their last three Turkish Super Lig games, after playing out a goalless draw with rivals Besiktas last weekend.

They followed their derby day draw with a 2-0 home win over AEK Larnaca in the Europa League on Thursday, with a Michy Batshuayi strike and Rafail Mamas own goal ensuring the hosts ended their third group game in top spot.

Although they will head to Cyprus for another meeting with Larnaca next week, Fenerbahce's main priority will be to continue their impressive home form on Sunday.

The Yellow Canaries are unbeaten in their eight competitive home games this term, while they have won their last five home matches in all competitions.

Meanwhile, Fatih Karagumruk will be looking to move away from danger as they enter the weekend in 14th place with only two points separating them from the relegation zone.

Their opening seven matches have yielded only one victory, although they had the chance to extend their unbeaten run to five games on Monday.

After beating Ankaragucu 4-1 and recording three consecutive draws, Fatih Karagumruk looked set to claim a positive result against Istanbulspor when Mbaye Diagne gave his side the lead in the 37th minute.

However, two goals in the space of five second half minutes saw Istanbulspor turn the game on its head to condemn Fatih Karagumruk to a 2-1 defeat.

As the visitors turn their attention to Sunday's encounter, two consecutive goalless away draws suggest they have the ability to offer Fenerbahce a tough test, despite the fact that are yet to win an away game this season.

Fenerbahce Turkish Super Lig form:

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W

L

W

W

D

Fenerbahce form (all competitions):

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D

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D

W

Fatih Karagumruk Turkish Super Lig form:

L

W

D

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D

L

Team News

The hosts are still expected to be without the services of Luan Peres, Mert Hakan Yandas and Nazim Sangare due to injury issues.

Batshuayi was one of a number of players that were brought into the side for Thursday's Europa League encounter, and although the Belgium international scored in the contest, he may have to settle for a place on the bench, with Jorge Jesus likely to opt for the same side that started against Besiktas.

Enner Valencia will be one of those that return to the starting lineup, and the Ecuador international will look to add to the eight goals he has scored in all competitions this season.

As for the visitors, a number of players could be missing due to injury problems, including Rayyan Baniya, Colin Kazim-Richards and Efe Tatli.

After serving a one-match suspension, Otabek Shukurov is available for Fatih Karagumruk, and the midfielder could return to the starting lineup for Sunday's encounter.

Diagne will provide one of the main threats for the visitors after scoring four goals in seven appearances this season.

Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:

Bayindir; Aziz, Henrique, Szalai; Kadioglu, Crespo, Arao, Lincoln; Kahveci, Pedro, Valencia

Fatih Karagumruk possible starting lineup:

Viviano; Dursun, Biraschi, Dresevic, Erkin; Durmaz, Shukurov, Ozdoev; Colley, Kouassi, Diagne

We say: Fenerbahce 3-0 Fatih Karagumruk

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