Preview:Fenerbahce vs. Trabzonspor - prediction, team news, lineups

Fenerbahce face a tough test on Sunday as they play host to runaway leaders Trabzonspor, who are closing in on their seventh league title.

The hosts are looking to claim a fourth consecutive league victory, while the table toppers are aiming for an eighth successive win in all competitions.

Match preview

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Fenerbahce may be 20 points behind their opponents but they enter the weekend just three points behind second-placed Konyaspor.

With the battle for European places heating up, Fenerbahce have hit their straps at the right time, winning their last three league matches.

They collected three points in dramatic fashion in their contest with Kasimpasa last Monday, but the encounter looked to be heading towards a draw after Miha Zajc had his opener cancelled out by Jackson Muleka.

However, in the first minute of stoppage time, Attila Szalai came up trumps to snatch the points and ensure Fenerbahce head into Sunday's contest with momentum in their favour.

On Sunday, Ismail Kartal's side will face the best defence that the Super Lig has to offer, but the hosts will be confident of scoring after failing to score in just two of their 27 league games this season.

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Meanwhile, Trabzonspor sit 17 points clear at the summit of the Super Lig and with just 33 points left to play for, it is only a matter of time before Sunday's visitors are crowned champions.

A first league title since 1984 may be on its way, but Trabzonspor are also still in contention to claim a remarkable league and cup double.

After coming from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in the ninth minute of stoppage time in the league last weekend, Abdullah Avci's side played host to Antalyaspor in the Turkish Cup quarter final on Tuesday.

The home side held a 1-0 lead for the majority of the contest following Edin Visca's 12th-minute opener before a late Berat Ozdemir goal sealed Trabzonspor's passage to the final four.

Attention will now turn back to league action on Sunday with the Super Lig top scorers aiming to extend their unbeaten run to 15 games in all competitions.

Team News

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The hosts will have to cope without the presence of Ferdi Kadioglu, Luis Gustavo and Filip Novak, who all miss out with injury issues.

After edging out Kasimpasa last weekend, Fenerbahce could name an unchanged lineup for Sunday's contest.

Meanwhile, injury has kept Mesut Ozil out of action since January 19, but the 33-year-old could be included among the substitutes at the weekend.

Trabzonspor are unable to call upon the services of Marek Hamsik and Dorukhan Tokoz, who are sidelined due to injury problems.

Bruno Peres dropped to the bench for the midweek cup tie, but the full-back is expected to return to the starting XI for Sunday's encounter.

After starting the quarter-final against Antalyaspor, Stefano Denswil is set to retain his place in the Trabzonspor backline.

Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:

Bayindir; Osayi-Samuel; Aziz, Kim, Szalai; Zajc, Crespo; Guler, Kahveci, Rossi; Berisha

Trabzonspor possible starting lineup:

Cakir; Peres, Kaplan, Denswil, Puchacz; Ozdemir, Siopis; Visca, Omur, Nwakaeme; Cornelius

We say: Fenerbahce 1-2 Trabzonspor

Two sides enjoying a positive run of results in the Super Lig will face off on Sunday, but we think that Fenerbahce will fall short, with Trabzonspor demonstrating this season that they are a cut above the rest in the Turkish top flight.