Besiktas will be aiming to make it six straight wins in all competitions when they welcome newly-promoted Pendikspor to Vodafone Park on Sunday night in the Turkish Super Lig.
The hosts have made a positive start to the campaign domestically and on the European stage, while Pendikspor were handed a harsh reminder of the challenge they face this term last time out.
Match preview
© Reuters
Following a third-placed finish in the Super Lig last season, Besiktas have been busier than most of their Turkish counterparts this summer, playing in the qualification rounds of the Europa Conference League.
Thursday night saw Senol Gunes's men beat Neftchi Baku of Azerbaijan 2-1 courtesy of goals from Vincent Aboubakar and Jackson Muleka, setting up a two-legged affair with Ukrainians Dynamo Kyiv to decide who will earn a place in the group stage.
The Black Eagles have also been to Albania this month, but it was the shorter trip to Fatih Karagumruk on the opening night of the Super Lig season which produced maximum points.
Gunes's charges dominated proceedings against Faith and stopped their hosts from having a shot on target, although it did take until the 85th minute for the three points to be secured, with former Tottenham Hotspur man Gedson Fernandes making the net ripple.
Pendikspor welcomed top-flight football to their Istanbul home last Saturday, but the newly-promoted hosts were put to the sword by Hatayspor on the night.
A brace from Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and three assists from Gorkem Saglam helped the visitors on their way to a 5-1 thumping, with Pendikspor's Thuram managing to grab a consolation in the 93rd minute of the contest.
Osman Ozkoylu is leading his club into a Super Lig season for the first time in their history, and the 51-year-old's side secured their place in this division the hard way last season after winning the second-tier playoffs.
A record of 34 goals in 18 away matches last season for Pendikspor could not be matched by any outfit in their league, but supporters will be lowering their expectations as they now regularly compete with Turkey's elite.
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
Team News
© Reuters
Besiktas have limited options at centre-back in the early stages of this season, with 22-year-old Emrecan Uzunhan sidelined due to a ligament injury sustained during an altercation following a road collision.
Tayyib Sanuc has not featured for the Black Eagles since the win at Fenerbahce on April 2, and the defender is still months away from a return because of his cruciate ligament injury.
Pendikspor are expected to make a few changes to the XI who disappointed on the opening day against Hatayspor, with Emre Tasdemir, Oscar Romero and Abdoulay Diaby all pushing for starts.
Emeka Eze is another player who will be hoping for a first starting berth of the campaign on Sunday night following his move from Eyupspor - the Nigerian has managed to find the net on a consistent basis in the lower divisions of Turkey over the past few years.
Besiktas possible starting lineup:
Gunok; Rosier, Uysal, Colley, Masuaku; Ucan, Hadziahmetovic, Fernandes; Bulut, Muleka, Aboubakar
Pendikspor possible starting lineup:
Ogur; Tasdemir, Welinton, Tzavellas, Sequeira; Vukovic, Kaya, Romero, Diaby; Bitin, Thuram
We say: Besiktas 3-0 Pendikspor
Besiktas have won all five of their matches since their competitive action commenced in July, and all signs point towards Gunes's men extending that record to six on Sunday night.
Pendikspor displayed their lack of experience at this level in the defeat to Hatayspor, and a trip to Vodafone Park has the potential to go wrong very quickly for the newly-promoted side.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
