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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



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Written by
Jonathan O'Shea

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.


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Game History

How you voted: Antalyaspor vs Besiktas

Antalyaspor
6.3%
Draw
6.3%
Besiktas
87.5%
16
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1GalatasarayGalatasaray14122038152338
2Fenerbahce14102236132332
3Samsunspor1592429171229
4EyupsporEyupspor167542417726
5BesiktasBesiktas147432315825
6Goztepe SKGoztepe SK147342720724
7Istanbul BasaksehirIstanbul146442418622
8KasimpasaKasimpasa154742021-119
9KonyasporKonyaspor155461722-519
10Caykur RizesporCaykur Rizespor146171521-619
11GaziantepGaziantep145362021-118
12SivassporSivasspor165382027-718
13AntalyasporAntalyaspor145361826-818
14TrabzonsporTrabzonspor143742018216
15KayserisporKayserispor143651525-1015
16AlanyasporAlanyaspor143561218-614
17Bodrumspor154291221-914
18Hatayspor141581223-118
19Adana Demirspor1402121034-242


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