Preview: Istanbul Basaksehir vs. Fenerbahce - prediction, team news, lineups

Fenerbahce will look to extend their unbeaten run to 11 matches in all competitions when they face Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday.

While Fenerbahce are leading the way in the Turkish Super Lig table, the hosts are currently sitting in 10th position.

Match preview

© Reuters

Istanbul Basaksehir head into Wednesday's contest in a rich vein of form, having avoided defeat in each of their previous nine competitive matches since losing to Caykur Rizespor on December 2023.

Although they may be enjoying a positive run of results, Istanbul Basaksehir would have been disappointed to drop two points in Saturday's away league clash with Fatih Karagumruk.

Cagdas Atan's side looked to be on course to claim all three points when they took the lead courtesy of a Flavio Paoletti own goal, but they ultimately had to settle for a share of the spoils after Salih Dursun netted an 88th-minute equaliser to end their three-game winning run across all competitions.

While the draw leaves them with just one win from their last nine away league games, they have enjoyed success in their recent home outings, having won five and drawn two of their previous seven top-flight matches at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium.

After losing their last four meetings with Fenerbahce, Istanbul Basaksehir will go into Wednesday's contest with the hopes of clinching their first head-to-head victory since February 2022.

© Reuters

Meanwhile, the visitors are currently embroiled in a thrilling title race with their bitter rivals Galatasaray, who currently sit in second place due to Fenerbahce's goal-difference advantage.

Fenerbahce enjoyed a run of three consecutive victories in the Turkish Super Lig, before they were held to a 1-1 draw in Sunday's home clash with Samsunspor.

Irfan Can Kahveci found the net in a second straight league game to give the Yellow Canaries a 12th-minute lead, but he ultimately saw his effort cancelled by Emre Kilinc, ensuring that the contest finished all square.

Fenerbahce's failure to convert a lead into a win allowed Galatasaray to move level on 54 points, but Ismail Kartal can still be pleased with the fact that his side have gone 10 top-flight matches without defeat since losing to Trabzonspor in November.

With the Yellow Canaries determined to end their 10-year wait for a Turkish Super Lig title, they will be looking to return to winning ways in Wednesday's fixture, and they will certainly fancy their chances of claiming maximum points after winning nine of their 10 away league games this season (D1).

Team News

© Reuters

The hosts are without long-term absentee Patryk Szysz, while Edgar Ie is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations with Guinea-Bissau.

Istanbul Basaksehir can no longer call upon Nottingham Forest loanee Emmanuel Dennis, who is set to cut his temporary spell short to return to his former club Watford until the end of the season.

Having scored seven goals in 17 league appearances, Polish striker Krzysztof Piatek will be looking to add to his tally when he leads the line against Fenerbahce.

As for the visitors, they will have to cope without the services of Fred, who is set to be out for around four to six weeks after picking up an injury against Samsunspor.

Luan Peres, Miha Zajc and Miguel Crespo are also expected to miss out through injury, while Alexander Djiku and Bright Osayi-Samuel are currently on international duty.

Edin Dzeko will be looking to continue his successful season, having registered 16 goals in 20 games to lead the Turkish Super Lig scoring charts.

Istanbul Basaksehir possible starting lineup: Babacan; Dubois, Duarte, Opoku, Lima; Turuc, Sahiner, Ergun, Ozcan, Figueiredo; Piatek

Fenerbahce possible starting lineup: Livakovic; Muldur, Bonucci, Oosterwolde, Kadioglu; Yuksek, Krunic; Kahveci, Szymanski, Tadic; Dzeko

We say: Istanbul Basaksehir 1-2 Fenerbahce

Fenerbahce are the only side yet to lose an away game in the Turkish Super Lig this season, and while they will face an in-form side on Wednesday, we believe that the Yellow Canaries will have enough quality to extend their impressive away run with a narrow victory.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.