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

The hosts have been absolutely irresistible so far this season, and have arguably the best record of any side in Europe so far.

Match preview

Fenerbahce's extraordinary start is on the verge of breaking records, as they have won all 14 games so far in all competitions, scoring an incredible 46 goals, while also keeping 10 clean sheets.

On the league front alone, they are in the midst of a four-game winning run without conceding, as almost six-and-a-half hours have elapsed since their goal was last breached in the Super Lig.

Ismail Kartal's men continued their fine run with a routine 2-0 win at Kasimpasa shortly before the international break to keep them top of the table.

Bitter rivals Galatasaray remain in hot pursuit though just two points behind, but Fener look like they will keep on winning before the two sides meet on December 24.

Fenerbahce's sensational start extends into European competition too, where they won each leg of their three qualifying round ties in the Europa Conference League, with notable European outfits Maribor and Twente both thrashed by the Turkish giants.

Ahead of the visit of Ludogorets Razgrad in midweek, a side that were trounced 7-1 on matchday two, Fener have six points from six after easily seeing off both Nordsjaelland and Spartak Trnava.

While Kartal will target another three points there, their league schedule does get slightly tougher in the coming weeks, with Trabzonspor, Adana Demirspor and Besiktas all to come in their next five.

With a strong Hatayspor side coming up next too, it is arguable to say their clash with Pendikspor is the only fixture in this spell which looks like a certain three points for Fener.

Hatayspor's start has been excellent, but they have not yet faced a side of Fenerbahce's might though, and this will be a true test of their credentials.

The Antakya-based side, which was left devastated by February's earthquake, have returned in heroic style since getting back to action, as their early season form already has them in contention for the European places.

After not playing a single competitive fixture from early February until August, it is like they have never been away, and Hatayspor look even stronger than they were in the first-half of last season.

Having not yet lost in their opening eight matches, Hatayspor are up in fifth, just three points adrift of Adana Demirspor, the side currently top of the group below the runaway top two.

While showing fine scoring prowess at home, netting three goals in each of their last three games at their temporary home in neighbouring Mersin, Volkan Demirel's side have only conceded once in their four away games so far, and that came in an impressive 5-1 win at Pendikspor on the opening day.

Fenerbahce Turkish Super Lig form:

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Fenerbahce form (all competitions):

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Hatayspor Turkish Super Lig form:

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Team News

Fenerbahce's Brazilian pair Lincoln and Luan Peres are both set to miss out here with respective serious knee injuries.

Cengiz Under is still yet to play 90 minutes altogether in the league since arriving in a big-money move from Marseille over the summer, and the winger's muscular problem is set to keep him out.

Fellow former prodigy Emre Mor is also currently sidelined, but is not too far away from a return after three months out.

Kartal's embarrassment of riches means the likes of Michy Batshuayi and Ryan Kent can be kept in reserve, while Dusan Tadic, Edin Dzeko, Irfan Can Kahveci and Sebastian Szymanski continue to rack up goals and assists aplenty.

French attacker Rayane Aabid is set to be Hatayspor's only absentee, as manager Volkan has no new injury concerns heading into this clash.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and Carlos Strandberg have been the standout figures for the visitors so far, with both players currently on four goals and one assist after eight appearances.

Rigoberto Rivas was away in Tegucigalpa on Honduras duty during the international break, but a favourable schedule means their final match was on Sunday night, giving ample time for the winger to travel back and recover in time for this one.

Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:

Livakovic; Kadioglu, Rodrigo Becao, Djiku, Oosterwolde; Kahveci, Fred, Yuksek, Szymanski, Tadic; Dzeko

Hatayspor possible starting lineup:

Kardesler; Corekci, Kilama, Bekaroglu, Ghoulam; Matondo, Aburjania, Dele-Bashiru; Rivas, Dadashov, Strandberg

We say: Fenerbahce 3-0 Hatayspor

No side in Turkey appears capable of stopping Fenerbahce in their tracks currently, and another unbeaten start may go here with a routine home win.

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