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

Fenerbahce make the trip to Umraniyespor on Monday looking for the win which will keep the pressure on Super Lig leaders Galatasaray.

Although Umraniyespor are currently sitting in bottom place in the standings, they have recently put together some of their best form of the season.

Match preview

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On the back of being comprehensively beaten at home by title rivals Galatasaray on January 8, Fenerbahce went into the following fixture with Gaziantep FK knowing that they simply had to win.

Heading into the closing stages, it appeared that Jorge Jesus's team would drop further points, but a last-gasp winner from Enner Valencia has kept Sari Kanaryalar competitive in the race for the top-flight trophy.

As it stands, the gap is four points with the goal difference identical, but Fenerbahce have reached a point where they can ill-afford any more defeats.

Jesus has already witnessed his team lose three of their most recent six matches in the league, although they can take confidence from winning four of their most recent five away encounters.

Like in the last league game, Valencia was required to score a late winner in the cup tie with Rizespor in midweek, netting in the 89th minute to earn Fenerbahce a 2-1 triumph.

Given the level of their resurgence in recent weeks, Umraniyespor boss Recep Ucar would have had every confidence that his side would prevail from their bottom-of-the-table clash with Istanbulspor last weekend.

However, despite collecting seven points from three games, the home side lost out 2-0 to their rivals, succumbing to goals netted in the 15 minutes before half time.

In the short term, it feels like a huge blow for a that who had been building momentum, but they will try not to be too downbeat with 11 points coming from a possible 21.

There was further disappointment in the cup in midweek, Umraniyespor moving to the brink of beating Trabzonspor before conceding a late equaliser and going on to lose 4-1 after extra time.

Team News

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Allyson is in line to return to the Umraniyespor defence after serving a suspension for a sending off versus Hatayspor on January 3.

Isaac Sackey may also come back into the team, taking the place of Antonio Mrsic in central midfield.

As for Fenerbahce, Irfan Can Kahveci should be recalled to the starting XI after serving a one-match ban for his dismissal versus Galatasaray.

Much may depend on Jesus's chosen formation, with either a diamond which would include Diego Rossi, or the use of two wingers at his disposal.

Joao Pedro remains absent for the visitors and is unlikely to return before March.

Umraniyespor possible starting lineup:

Ozdemir; Popov, Allyson, Glumac, Atasayar; Geraldo, Goksu, Yilmaz, Avounou, Gheorghe; Nayir

Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:

Bayindir; Kadioglu, Akaydin, Szalai, Alioski; Kahveci, Arao, Crespo, Rossi; Valencia, Batshuayi

We say: Umraniyespor 0-2 Fenerbahce

Umraniyespor head into this game aware that few people expect them to win, something which should allow them to play with freedom. Nevertheless, we do not think that it will hinder Fenerbahce, who have enough quality in their ranks to post a relatively routine victory.

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