The action continues in round 24 of the Turkish Super Lig as Antalyaspor welcome Fenerbahce to the New Antalya Stadium this Saturday.
The hosts head into the game unbeaten in their last seven matches since the turn of the year, while the visitors boast an impressive 12-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
Match preview
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Antalyaspor's European ambitions remain alive after a 1-1 draw with Kayserispor at the Kadir Has Stadium on Monday.
Sam Larsson's third league goal of the season put the Scorpions ahead in the first half, but Ali Karimi levelled just after the hour mark to ensure the spoils were shared.
Antalyaspor are now unbeaten in seven outings since the turn of the year, picking up four draws and three wins, including a 2-1 victory over Pendikspor to reach the round of 16 of the Turkish Cup on January 17.
Sergen Yalcin's side have also lost just one of their last 17 matches across all competitions – which came on Christmas Eve against Adana Demirspor – while picking up 10 wins and seven draws since late October.
With 34 points from 23 matches, Antalyaspor are currently sixth in the Super Lig standings, two points behind fourth-placed Besiktas in the Europa Conference League qualification spot.
While the Scorpions will be looking to extend their unbeaten run, next up is an opposing side they have failed to beat in their last nine encounters, losing the last three.
Fenerbahce remain unbeaten in 12 matches across all competitions, following a comeback 2-1 victory over Ankaragucu last time out, courtesy of a brace from Cengiz Under.
It was the first time the Yellow Canaries scored more than one goal in a league game since their 7-1 win over Konyaspor and this took their total goals scored to 61 goals in 23 league games so far – 13 more than their closest rivals, Galatasaray.
This result keeps the Yellow Canaries atop the Turkish Super Lig with 60 points, level with second-placed Galatasaray but ahead on goal difference.
The 2023-24 Super Lig title race has been a two-horse affair between Fener and Gala since the season's first half, with both clubs pulling clear of the chasing pack. Ismail Kartal's side know that any slip up could spell doom as the season approaches its final 15 games.
Back on the road this weekend, Fener have enjoyed their trips in the league this season, picking up more away points than any other side, while conceding the joint-fewest goals, scoring the most and maintaining an unbeaten run in those games.
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Team News
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Israeli striker Sagiv Jehezkel has missed each of Antalyaspor's last four matches through a club suspension and is also out of contention for Saturday's clash.
Other than that, the Scorpion boast a clean bill of health and no suspension concerns, giving Yalcin the luxury of a relatively full-strength squad at his disposal.
Adam Buksa now has 10 goals in 20 league appearances and we expect the Lens loanee to spearhead Antalyaspor's attack once again.
Meanwhile, Bright Osayi-Samuel is unavailable for the visitors as he is at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, representing Nigeria.
Luan Peres (knee) and Fred (hamstring) are out due to varying injuries, while Miha Zajc is a doubt owing to a muscle injury.
Antalyaspor possible starting lineup:
Leite; Yesilyurt, Sari, Ozturk, Vural; Kaluzinski, Safuri; Bytyqi, Saric, Larsson; Buksa
Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Muldur, Bonucci, Oosterwolde, Kadioglu; Yuksek, Krunic; Kahveci, Szymanski, Tadic; Dzeko
We say: Antalyaspor 1-2 Fenerbahce
While Antalyaspor have been formidable in recent months, they have historically found it difficult against Fenerbahce. We believe the visitors will extend their dominance over the Scorpions, but expect a hard-fought match.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
