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

Yigidos won successive games thanks to last week's 2-1 win over Antalyaspor, while the second-placed side played out a disappointing draw with relegation-threatened Istanbulspor.

Match preview

Having been in the relegation conversation for a while, Sivasspor's recent upswing has been timely.

The Braves have claimed victories against Trabzonspor and Antalyaspor, scoring six times and conceding twice in the triumphs that have catapulted them to mid-table.

Riza Calimbay's troops were four points clear of the drop previously, but two victories have seen them open a 10-point advantage on Giresunspor, albeit having played a game more.

One defeat has been experienced in the last five games, but the three victories in that period have aided Sivasspor's survival tussle.

Yigidos have claimed 10 points from their last 12 in Sivas, and a chance to extend their unbeaten home record against one of the league's best teams provides the necessary motivation on Saturday.

However, they will not have it easy against the team with the joint-best away record in the competition in Fenerbahce.

The Yellow Canaries' 32 road points from 14 games is level with table-topping Galatasaray, but their indifferent form at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium has been their undoing in the title race.

Last weekend's 3-3 home draw with relegation-threatened Istanbulspor was ill-timed as it came on the same weekend that Gala also played out a 3-3 tie with Andrea Pirlo's Fatih Karagumruk.

Jorge Jesus's men led 2-0 and 3-2 before conceding a 96th-minute equaliser to Emeka Eze, seeing the leading side maintain their six-point advantage atop the table.

They seek a fifth consecutive away victory at Sivasspor but have to be wary of a fixture they have not won in the last four encounters, losing one and playing out draws in three since a 2-1 win in 2018.

Sivasspor Turkish Super Lig form:

L

W

D

L

W

W

Sivasspor form (all competitions):

L

W

D

L

W

W

Fenerbahce Turkish Super Lig form:

W

L

W

W

W

D

Team News

Ziya Erdal missed the win at Antalyaspor last time out through suspension but should return to the Sivasspor team.

Ugur Ciftci and Leke James are injured and not expected to play when Yigidos welcome the title challengers on Saturday.

Emre Mor is suspended and is out of the Fenerbahce team for this weekend's visit to Sivasspor.

Altay Bayindir's hip operation likely rules him out for the season, while Lincoln, who ruptured his ligament in March, has suffered the same fate.

Michy Batshuayi and Joshua King should return to the squad, having been absent since February and March respectively.

Sivasspor possible starting lineup:

Vural; Paluli, Goutas, Appindangoye, Erdal; Charisis, Arslan; Yesilyurt, Saiz, Gradel; Yatabare

Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:

: Egribayat; Kadioglu, Akaydin, Szalai, Alioski; Yuksek; Guler, Yandas, Kahveci; Pedro, Valencia

We say: Sivasspor 1-2 Fenerbahce

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