Besiktas will go in search of their sixth successive Super Lig victory when they face Andrea Pirlo's Fatih Karagumruk at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Karagumruk will aim to extend their unbeaten run in the league to six games, having registered two wins and three draws since their last loss.
Match preview
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Fatih Karagumruk head into Tuesday's clash on the back of an exciting 2-2 draw with Alanyaspor, thanks to a second-half brace from top scorer Fabio Borini.
The former Liverpool, Chelsea and AC Milan forward has now bagged 12 goals and seven assists in 18 Super Lig outings this season, with five goals and three assists coming in his previous six league appearances.
It would not be unfair to say that Karagumruk made a poor start to the campaign, as they managed to win just three of their opening 14 Super Lig matches, but they have turned things around in recent weeks.
Indeed, Pirlo's men are currently enjoying a five-game unbeaten streak in the league, having taken nine points from a possible 15 since losing to Adana Demirspor on Christmas Day.
After claiming high-scoring victories over Trabzonspor and Kayserispor, Karagumruk drew with Konyaspor, Kasimpasa and Alanyaspor, so they will fancy their chances of avoiding defeat against Besiktas.
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The Black Eagles made a flying start to the season, winning four of their opening five Super Lig games, but they struggled for consistency between September and December, recording two wins, four draws and three losses in their next nine league outings.
However, Senol Gunes's men have rediscovered their early-season form in recent times, and they head into Tuesday's clash on the back of five consecutive Super Lig victories.
After securing a 1-0 win against Adana Demirspor, Besiktas clinched back-to-back 2-1 victories over Kasimpasa and Konyaspor before beating Kayserispor 2-0, with a 3-0 win against Alanyaspor coming last time out.
Cenk Tosun netted a double to put Besiktas in control against Alanyaspor on Friday, while ex-Tottenham Hotspur star Dele Alli sealed the victory with his second league goal for the club.
Besiktas claimed their 21st top-flight title in 2020-21 before recording a disappointing sixth-place finish last season, but they remain in the title race at the halfway point in the 2022-23 campaign, despite Galatasaray's 10-game winning streak.
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Team News
Fatih Karagumruk will be without the injured duo of Efecan Mizrakci and Efe Tatli on Tuesday, while Emir Tintis is also expected to miss the game as he continues to recover from injury.
Given the team's recent upturn in form, Pirlo is not likely to make too many alterations to his starting XI, meaning Colin Kazim-Richards might have to settle for another substitute appearance.
Of course, Besiktas will be wary of Borini, but the visitors will also need to keep an eye on Mbaye Diagne, who has chalked up 10 goals and four assists in 18 league outings this term.
As for the Black Eagles, Brazilian midfielder Souza remains sidelined with a knee problem, while French defender Valentin Rosier is suspended after picking up a red card against Kayserispor.
There are also question marks over the fitness of Rachid Ghezzal, who has only made five Super Lig appearances this season due to a couple of injury setbacks.
Wout Weghorst racked up eight goals and four assists in 16 league games before moving to Manchester United, so Gunes will be hoping that Tosun can build on his run of four goals in four Super Lig outings.
Fatih Karagumruk possible starting lineup:
Sen; Biraschi, Baniya, Dresevic, Mercan; Shukurov, Ricci, Ozdoyev; Colley, Diagne, Borini
Besiktas possible starting lineup:
Gunok; Bingol, Welinton, Sanuc, Masuaku; Ucan, Fernandes; Muleka, Alli, Tosun; Aboubakar
We say: Fatih Karagumruk 2-3 Besiktas
Given that both teams have scored at least two goals in six of Karagumruk's past eight Super Lig games, this is destined to be a high-scoring affair between two resurgent teams.
The hosts have drawn each of their last three league matches, while Besiktas have won each of their previous five, so the Black Eagles are likely to claim all three points on Tuesday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Ben Morris
