Sports Mole previews Saturday’s Turkish Super Lig clash between Fenerbahce and Kasimpasa, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
The action continues in round 27 of the Turkish Super Lig as Fenerbahce host Kasimpasa, looking to avoid a further slip-up in the title race.
The hosts are looking to avoid falling further behind in the title race while the visitors look to fuel their European aspirations.
Match preview
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Fenerbahce remain unbeaten in 16 matches across all competitions as they returned to winning ways with a 3-1 victory away at Caykur Rizespor last time out.
The Yellow Canaries started on the back foot, falling behind to Martin Minchev‘s goal just three minutes before the half-hour mark to trail into half time.
However, a brilliant second-half performance with goals from Serdar Dursun, Edin Dzeko and Irfan Kahveci turned it around to help Ismail Kartal’s side stay close in the title race.
Fener knows that any further mistake could mean disaster as the season approaches its final 12 matches, and they are two points behind league leaders Galatasaray.
However, they will be confident heading into Saturday’s fixture against a side they have beaten in their last eight competitive meetings.
Fenerbahce are unbeaten in their seven home matches in the Super Lig and and the last nine in all competitions.
Kasimpasa, meanwhile, are keeping their European hopes alive as they stretched their unbeaten run to four games, after a 1-1 draw with Fatih Karagumruk last time out.
The game was settled in the first half, as Nuno da Costa‘s early goal for the Apaches was cancelled out by Valentin Eysseric‘s 38th-minute striker for Karagumruk.
After a promising start to the season, Kasimpasa looked like genuine contenders for European football, but a poor run that lasted from November to mid-January saw them fall off.
Four wins from their last six league matches have now propelled them back into contention, as they have now climbed to fifth place with 39 points from 26 matches, just four points behind third and fourth-placed Trabzonspor and Besiktas.
However, next up is an away game at a ground they have not won at since 2009, leaving their hopes of extending their winning run on the road to three matches very slim.
Fenerbahce Turkish Super Lig form:
Fenerbahce form (all competitions):
Kasimpasa Turkish Super Lig form:
Team News
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Joshua King (thigh) and Fred (hamstring) remain sidelined for Fenerbahce due to varying injuries.
Meanwhile, Dzeko will look to add to his league leading 18 goals when he starts up front this weekend.
Dursun and Kahveci are also in contention for a starting place after coming off the bench to score last time out.
Kasimpasa will be without Samuel Bastien, who has been ruled out since October due to a severe injury.
Turkish midfielder Erdem Cetinkaya and Dries Saddiki are also doubtful and will have to pass a late fitness test to feature.
Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Muldur, Bonucci, Oosterwolde, Kadioglu; Yuksek, Krunic; Kahveci, Szymanski, Tadic; Dzeko
Kasimpasa possible starting lineup:
Gianniotis; Winck, Ciftpinar, Ozcan, Omeruo; Guel, Kara; Fall, Hajradinovic, Caglayan; Da Costa
We say: Fenerbahce 3-1 Kasimpasa
Fenerbahce are outright favorites for this one, as both history and current form favours them. Kasimpasa have looked rejuvenated in recent games but the hosts will have too much for them in the end.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
