Second bottom, Hatayspor and second-placed Fenerbahce will face off in the penultimate weekend of the 2024-25 Turkish Super Lig season.

The Yellow Canaries are seven points behind league winners Galatasaray with two matches left, while the hosts are also preparing for life in the second tier.

Match preview

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Hatayspor welcome Fenerbahce to Mersin on Sunday in what is expected to be their final home match in the Turkish Super Lig for the foreseeable future.

After a season of mostly downs, the hosts will be aiming to give their loyal supporters a proper send-off, though their 5-0 thrashing of Adana Demirspor last time out brought rare joy and halted a seven-game winless streak.

Even a draw against Fenerbahce would be greeted with warmth, though it is clear they are facing a monumental task given the quality of their opponent and poor defense.

Defensive frailties have been Hatayspor's undoing all season, having conceded 67 goals, with only bottom-placed Adana Demirspor letting in more.

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Fenerbahce arrive in Mersin with nothing left to play for in terms of silverware, but the pressure remains sky-high with fans showing disdain at how the season has played out.

Failing to wrestle the title from Galatasaray yet again has left a bitter taste in the mouths of their supporters, who are growing increasingly disillusioned with the club hierarchy and direction.

Much of that anger has been directed at club president Ali Koc, and even new manager Jose Mourinho is not immune to criticism as despite his reputation and experience, Mourinho's arrival has yet to produce the immediate impact many hoped for, and murmurings about his future are already starting to surface.

Nonetheless, the Portuguese tactician will want to finish the campaign strongly, as winning the remaining two games would provide a more stable platform heading into the summer.

Fenerbahce recorded a 2-1 win over Eyupspor last time out, making it two wins in a row, and they have never lost to Hatayspor, winning eight and drawing one of their previous nine meetings.

Team News

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Rui Pedro and Carlos Strandberg are unavailable for Hatayspor once again due to injury and suspension respectively.

Abdulkadir Parmak is now fully match-fit and in line to start, while Francisco Calvo returns from suspension and is expected to slot straight back into the defence.

Ismail Yuksek is expected to step into the Fenerbahce midfield with Fred suspended for this one, while Alexander Djiku will deputise for the injured Diego Carlos.

The visitors are also without a number of players who were not expected to start, including Mert Hakan Yandas, Irfan Can Kahveci, Allan Saint-Maximin, Jayden Oosterwolde and Rodrigo Becao, who are all sidelined through injury.

Hatayspor possible starting lineup:
Bekaj; Corekci, Kilama, Calvo, Sertel; Parmak, Massanga; Boutobba, Saglam, Fernandes; Okoronkwo

Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Skriniar, Djiku, Soyuncu; Kostic, Amrabat, Yuksek, Szymanski, Aydin; Talisca, En-Nesyri

© PA Photos

We say: Hatayspor 1-3 Fenerbahce

Fenerbahce should have enough quality to see off already-relegated Hatayspor, even if motivation is low after losing the title.

The hosts will be eager to sign off with pride in their likely last Super Lig home game for a while, but expect the visitors to edge it.


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