Preview:Fenerbahce vs Alanyaspor - prediction, team news, lineups

Fenerbahce aim to get their 2025-26 Turkish Super Lig campaign off to a perfect start as they welcome Alanyaspor to Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on Saturday.

The hosts begin this season in pursuit of their first top-flight crown since 2013-14, having come close in recent attempts, while the Thunders will be targeting a much-improved showing after finishing 13th last term.

Match preview

Even the appointment of legendary head coach Jose Mourinho at the start of the 2024-25 season could not prevent Fenerbahce from playing second fiddle once again.

The Yellow Canaries have now finished as runners-up in each of the last four campaigns — losing out to Trabzonspor in 2021-22 and to Galatasaray in the three most recent seasons — so the pressure will be firmly on the former Chelsea boss to finally break that run.

Last term’s second-place finish secured Fener a spot in the Champions League third qualifying round, where they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Feyenoord on Thursday in Rotterdam, marking their second loss in six matches across all competitions, including pre-season friendlies (P6 - W4, L2).

Before attention turns to the return leg in Europe next week, Fenerbahce will be eager to get their domestic season off to a flying start and should be confident of doing so against a side they have beaten in four of their last five meetings, including a 5-0 aggregate triumph over both league fixtures last campaign.

Mourinho’s men were dominant at Sukru Saracoglu throughout 2024-25, dropping points in only four of their 18 home league matches (D2, L2), and they will look to harness that fortress-like record once again on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Alanyaspor come into this encounter with reason for optimism, having ended the previous campaign on a positive note and performed well in their summer preparations.

Joao Pereira’s side finished the 2024-25 Super Lig season unbeaten in their final five matches (W3, D2), before going on to win four of their seven friendlies.

The Portuguese tactician now begins his first full campaign at the helm, having taken charge in March, with his ideas starting to bear fruit late last season and ultimately steering the team to safety with an eight-point cushion above the drop.

The aim this term will be to move beyond mere survival by challenging for a place among the league’s stronger sides, so no ground will be termed off-limits, and with momentum from back-to-back away wins in 2024-25, the Thunders should not be ruled out of taking something here.

Fenerbahce form (all competitions):

Alanyaspor form (all competitions):

Team News

On-loan striker Jhon Duran could be handed his first competitive start after coming off the bench in the midweek loss to Feyenoord, while the same applies to Nelson Semedo, who joined the club on a free transfer this summer.

Sofyan Amrabat, whose loan deal was made permanent ahead of the season, scored the Yellow Canaries’s only goal in Rotterdam and is expected to anchor the midfield once again here.

However, Brazilian centre-back Rodrigo Becao remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from a cruciate ligament injury.

The visitors are also dealing with a notable absence, as 22-year-old midfielder Buluthan Bulut is ruled out due to a similar long-term injury.

Top scorer from last season Sergio Cordova, who netted nine times in the league, has departed for Swiss outfit Young Boys, but Ui-Jo Hwang remains a reliable option up front after finding the net on seven occasions last term and is likely to lead the line this weekend.

Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:

Livakovic; Muldur, Skirniar, Oosterwolde, Semedo; Szymanski, Amrabat, Fred; Duran, El Neysir, Tosun

Alanyaspor possible starting lineup:

Victor; Balkovec, Aliti, Yavuz; Ozdemir, Vilhena, Karaca, Jeanvier, Maestro, Keskin; Hwang

We say: Fenerbahce 3-1 Alanyaspor

A Mourinho-led team rarely drops points at home, so despite the midweek exertions in Europe, Fenerbahce are expected to come through with a win, though Alanyaspor’s recent form suggests they will not make it easy.

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