MX23RW : Friday, March 29 04:37:40| >> :600:1148954:1148954:
[monks data]
Antalyaspor logo (not for use in articles)
Turkish Super Lig | Gameweek 5
Sep 18, 2021 at 5pm UK
Antalya Arena
Besiktas

Antalyaspor
2 - 3
Besiktas

Wright (42'), Sari (45+1')
FT(HT: 2-0)
Yilmaz (49'), Batshuayi (65'), Ghezzal (76')
Topal (18'), Yilmaz (66')

Preview: Antalyaspor vs. Besiktas - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Saturday's Turkish Super Lig clash between Antalyaspor and Besiktas, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

After a home defeat in Europe during the week, Besiktas return to domestic duty in the Turkish Super Lig on Saturday, as they meet Antalyaspor.

Already top of the table following an unbeaten start, the Istanbul giants are seeking a fourth consecutive league win.


Match preview

Besiktas forward Cyle Larin pictured in January 2021© Reuters

Despite Javi Montero's late header setting up a grand finale on Wednesday, the opening night of their Champions League ended in defeat for Besiktas.

Erling Haaland's strike - his 21st goal from 17 games in the competition - and a goal from England midfielder Jude Bellingham were ultimately enough for Borussia Dortmund to return to Germany with all three points, leaving the Black Eagles empty-handed.

Nonetheless, Sergen Yalcin's side have won each of their last three league games either side of the international break - scoring eight times and keeping a trio of clean sheets in the process.

Their most recent success, over Yeni Malatyaspor last week, saw recent loan signing Michy Batshuayi bag a brace - with a goal either side of the interval - and they ran out 3-0 winners at Vodafone Park, having dominated throughout.

Former Juventus midfielder Miralem Pjanic set up Batshuayi's opening effort, and is another new recruit who has bolstered Yalcin's options for the long campaign ahead.

Besiktas naturally boast a strong record at home - as to be expected of the reigning Turkish champions - with only four defeats in their last 27 outings at their Istanbul headquarters.

However, they must now take the long journey south to Antalya with another win in mind, as they aim to lift the Super Lig title for the 17th time, after pipping reviled rivals Galatasaray to the trophy last term.

On Saturday, their latest league opponents, Antalyaspor, will face them for the 51st time in the Turkish top flight, having lost 33 of those meetings and won only six.

The Scorpions are, of course, outsiders despite home advantage, but are on a run of three games without defeat against Besiktas - featuring one win and two draws - and are going in search of a first-ever four-game unbeaten streak against the capital club.

Following consecutive top-half finishes in the league, the team currently managed by Ersun Yanal finished a lowly 16th last year - only four points clear of the drop - so would be thrilled to pick up some morale-boosting points against the top sides early this term.

Having already been beaten by Fenerbahce late last month, they went on to beat Rizespor 3-2, before last week's 2-0 reverse at Gaziantep BB - leaving the Red-and-Whites down in 15th in the standings.

Antalyaspor Turkish Super Lig form:
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • L

Antalyaspor form (all competitions):
  • L
  • D
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • L

Besiktas Turkish Super Lig form:
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W

Besiktas form (all competitions):
  • W
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L



Team News

Miralem Pjanic pictured for Bosnia in March 2021© Reuters

Besiktas come into Saturday's game with doubts over forward Alex Teixeira and Georges-Kevin N'Koudou, while experienced Croatia defender Domagoj Vida - who was forced off in the recent win over Yeni Malatyaspor - is expected to be out until next month with a foot injury.

Umut Meras is struggling with a muscular problem too, and Montenegrin striker Ajdin Hasic is a long-term injury absentee.

The visitors are once more set to be led by the recently arrived Michy Batshuayi up front and, after securing his services on loan from Barcelona, midfielder Miralem Pjanic may start again in the centre. Veteran engine room operator Mehmet Topal could join the Bosnian there, having spent Wednesday's match on the bench.

Meanwhile, the home side will start with former Espanyol and Getafe centre-back Naldo at the heart of their four-man defence, with former Turkey star Nuri Sahin set to play in midfield.

Enzo Crivelli and Haji Wright are vying for the lone striker's role, as Antalyaspor attempt to soak up pressure and hit on the counter-attack.

Antalyaspor possible starting lineup:
Boffin; Balci, Sari, Naldo, Vural; Sahin, Poli; Bayrakdar, Milosevic, Mukairu; Crivelli

Besiktas possible starting lineup:
Destanoglu; Rosier, Montero, Welinton, Yilmaz; Topal, Pjanic; Ghezzal, Ucan, Tore; Batshuayi


SM words green background

We say: Antalyaspor 1-3 Besiktas

Besiktas are poised to end a three-game barren run against their southern opponents this weekend, as their new signings are a cut above anything Antalyaspor can offer in return.

Expect the visitors to take an early lead and establish their dominance - proving that persistent underachievement in Europe need not affect their domestic duties.



Top tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting over 1.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Over 1.5:data



ID:464058:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect10763:

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Besiktas win with a probability of 62.9%. A draw had a probability of 21.9% and a win for Antalyaspor had a probability of 15.14%.

The most likely scoreline for a Besiktas win was 0-1 with a probability of 13.29%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 0-2 (12.34%) and 1-2 (9.63%). The likeliest drawn scoreline was 1-1 (10.37%), while for an Antalyaspor win it was 1-0 (5.59%). The actual scoreline of 2-3 was predicted with a 2.3% likelihood. Our data analysis correctly predicted that Besiktas would win this match.


Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Antalyaspor vs Besiktas

Antalyaspor
6.3%
Draw
6.3%
Besiktas
87.5%
16
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham pictured on September 15, 2021
Read Next:
Champions League Team of the Week - Lewandowski, Bellingham, Grealish
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1GalatasarayGalatasaray30263168204881
2Fenerbahce30254179255479
3TrabzonsporTrabzonspor301541151401149
4BesiktasBesiktas30144124036446
5KasimpasaKasimpasa30127115355-243
6Istanbul BasaksehirIstanbul30126123835342
7Caykur RizesporCaykur Rizespor30126123647-1142
8AntalyasporAntalyaspor30101193533241
9Adana Demirspor3091294639739
10AlanyasporAlanyaspor3091293842-439
11SivassporSivasspor30911103643-738
12Samsunspor30106143541-636
13KayserisporKayserispor30109113643-736
14AnkaragucuAnkaragucu30712113639-333
15Hatayspor30712113640-433
16KonyasporKonyaspor30712113142-1133
17GaziantepGaziantep3087153444-1031
18Fatih KaragumrukKaragumruk3079143438-430
19Pendikspor3078153461-2729
20Istanbulspor3037202255-3313


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!