Two sides at the opposite ends of the Turkish Super Lig face off on Saturday, as Fenerbahce host Pendikspor at Ulker Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in an Istanbul derby.
The hosts are looking to take advantage of any slip-up by their rival in the title race while the visitors are battling for survival.
Match preview
Fenerbahce were in Europa Conference League action on Thursday, sealing a 3-0 win over Union SG in the first leg of their round of 16 tie.
Michy Batshuayi, Jayden Oosterwolde and Dusan Tadic were on target for the Yellow Canaries, who have a comfortable advantage ahead of the second leg in Turkey.
Back in the league, Fener picked up a 2-0 victory against Hatayspor away from home last time out, as they remain within two points of league leaders Galatasaray in a keenly contested title race.
Ismail Kartal's side have 73 points from 28 matches, dropping points in just five games so far, but they know that any further slip-up could see their hope of dethroning Gala come to an end.
However, they will be confident of keeping the pressure on Gala this weekend, as they are coming up against a struggling Pendikspor side on Sunday.
The Yellow Canaries have faced their Istanbul neighbors three times in the past and have won twice, the latest of which was a 5-0 victory in the first leg.
Pendikspor failed to put a stop to their four-match losing streak, as they 2-0 to Konyaspor at the Pendik Stadium last Sunday.
After going on a five-game unbeaten run from mid-January to early-February, Pendikspor looked like a side that was going to escape relegation but they are now struggling to rediscover such form as the season nears an end.
Ivo Vieira's men have dropped to 19th with 26 points, three points adrift of safety as they head into the final 10 games of the season.
Their next test is not any easier, but they could look to draw inspiration from their only win against Fener, which came in the only game between both sides at the Pendik Stadium back in 1999.
Team News
Fenerbahce will be without Ismail Yuksek for this clash due to accumulated yellow cards, leaving a room for Fred to play from the start.
Joshua King and Rodrigo Becao are also sidelined as they are currently nursing thigh and hamstring inquiries respectively.
Edin Dzeko will look to add to his league leading 18 goals when he starts up front this weekend.
Pendikspor have two players out for this clash with Alpaslan Ozturk and Fredrik Midtsjo serving one-game suspensions due to accumulated yellow cards.
Endri Cekici is expected to replace Midtsjo in midfield while Murat Akca should replace Ozturk in defence.
A front three of Mehmet Umut Nayir, Halil Akbunar and Mame Baba Thiam is expected on Sunday.
Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:
Livakovic; Oosterwolde, Aziz, Soyuncu, Kadioglu; Fred, Krunic; Under, Yandas, Tadic; Dzeko
Pendikspor possible starting lineup:
Canpolat; Ozgenc, Akca, Rassoul, Sequeira; Ndiaye, Lusamba, Cekici; Akbunar, Thiam, Nayir
We say: Fenerbahce 3-1 Pendikspor
Fenerbahce are outright favorites for this one, as both history and current form favours them. Pendikspor are struggling this season and have lost their last four games. We are predicting a comfortable victory for the home side.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
body check tags ::
Previews by email
