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

Fener remain in the Super Lig title race despite the formidable form of league leaders Galatasaray.

Match preview

After being one of the most free-scoring outfits in Europe in the first half of the season, Fenerbahce are not quite scoring with the same regularity, but they are grinding out results more efficiently.

Since Turkish football returned after the enforced break caused by the earthquake in the country, Jorge Jesus's side have won six of their seven league matches to stay in touch at the top.

Their only defeat in that time came when they shipped four against a Besiktas side just behind them in the table who are also in fantastic form.

Their response to that very disappointing loss to 10-man Besiktas has been superb though, winning three on the spin.

Matches against Fatih Karagumruk, Ankaragucu and Istanbul Basaksehir have all been safely navigated, with Fener winning all three 2-1.

They still find themselves six points behind a Galatasaray side who will take some stopping from this point, but the two sides do meet on the final day of the season.

Whether that turns out to be a title decider is far from clear yet, but Fener also have the misfortune of needing to overturn a pretty hefty deficit in goal difference if they are to catch their local rivals.

Istanbulspor represent ideal opponents to continue their push to hunt down Gala though, as Fenerbahce have won nine of the last 10 meetings between the sides here.

Fatih Tekke's men have pressing matters of their own to deal with heading into this one, sitting just one point above the drop zone.

That gap should be three but Istanbulspor inexplicably threw away the lead three times last week in a 3-3 draw with Antalyaspor.

After beating Basaksehir a few days earlier to end a run of three straight defeats, they looked set to make it back-to-back wins which would have given them some valuable breathing space, but a late penalty for the visitors meant they left with just a point.

This clash with Fenerbahce and a home tie with Galatasaray come either side of a crucial encounter with Giresunspor next week for Istanbulspor, which could have a big say in who gets relegated back to the 1. Lig.

Fenerbahce Turkish Super Lig form:

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Fenerbahce form (all competitions):

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Istanbulspor Turkish Super Lig form:

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Team News

Miha Zajc is one of many Fenerbahce starters currently out injured, as the Slovenian is nursing a thigh injury.

Striking duo Michy Batshuayi and Josh King are both out with muscular problems, along with goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, who has missed the last two outings.

Brazilian pair Lincoln and Luan Peres are expected to be sidelined, but the latter is edging close to a return.

Bright Osayi-Samuel will be available for selection though after serving a one-match ban against Basaksehir.

Istanbulspor remarkably saw eight of their starting XI booked during their chaotic 3-3 draw with Antalyaspor last week.

That ill discipline has resulted in four suspensions heading into this local derby.

Two of their goalscorers last week, Mahamadou Ba and Onur Ergun, will be banned, along with goalkeeper David Jensen and Demeaco Duhaney.

Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:

Egribayat; Kadioglu, Akaydin, Szalai, Alioski; Osayi-Samuel, Willian Arao, Crespo, Kahveci; Valencia, Rossi

Istanbulspor possible starting lineup:

Arda; Yasar, Yesil, Mehremic, Deli, Aksu; Sarikaya, Rroca; Eyenga-Lokilo, Eze, Ethemi

We say: Fenerbahce 4-0 Istanbulspor

The league's leakiest defence may have a very difficult evening keeping out the division's most potent attack, who have the runaway top scorer in the form of Enner Valencia in their ranks.

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