Four days on from their last meeting, Fenerbahce and Sivasspor will renew acquaintances for the first leg of their Turkish Cup semi-final showdown at the New Sivas 4 Eylul Stadium on Wednesday.
The Yellow Canaries claimed a 3-1 victory over Riza Calimbay's side in the Super Lig on Saturday, but the defending Turkish Cup champions have the chance to gain immediate revenge.
Match preview
Sivasspor conceded three goals in the first half on Saturday but were handed a lifeline when Irfan Kahveci was sent off on the stroke of half time, giving the hosts a glimmer of hope.
Although the Braves prevented Fenerbahce from adding to their tally after the break, they failed to mount a serious comeback, with Jordy Caicedo's 76th-minute strike proving to be nothing more than a consolation goal.
Thanks to impressive victories over Trabzonspor and Antalyaspor, Calimbay's men headed into Saturday's clash on a two-game winning streak, but Fener flexed their muscles to halt Sivasspor's momentum.
The Braves kicked off their Turkish Cup campaign with a 5-2 thrashing of minnows Esenler Erokspor before defeating Karacabey Belediyespor 3-0, and they were handed a bye into the last four after drawing Gaziantep in the quarter-finals.
Despite Saturday's scoreline, it is worth remembering that Sivasspor won the Turkish Cup last season, so they will fancy their chances of reaching back-to-back finals.
Diego Rossi gave Fenerbahce the lead midway through the first half last weekend before Ferdi Kadioglu bagged a quick-fire brace to wrap up all three points for his side, leaving Sivasspor with a mountain to climb.
The Yellow Canaries have now won five of their last six matches, with a solitary defeat coming in their previous 13 league outings, keeping the pressure on table-topping Galatasaray, who sit just three points clear at the summit.
It is also worth noting that Jorge Jesus's men have netted at least two goals in each of their last eight games across all competitions, highlighting the team's attacking strength.
After making light work of Istanbulspor and Rizespor in the early rounds of the Turkish Cup, Fenerbahce crushed Kayserispor 4-1 in the quarter-finals, courtesy of an Emre Mor brace as well as goals from Serdar Dursun and Arda Guler.
Fener secured back-to-back Turkish Cup triumphs in 2012 and 2013 but have failed to win the competition since then, losing the final in 2016 and 2018, so the six-time champions will be eager to reclaim the trophy.
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
- W
Team News
Sivasspor are currently without Leke James, Alaaddin Okumus and Ugur Ciftci due to injury, although all three players are close to returning to action.
Having chalked up nine goals and 10 assists in all competitions this season, veteran winger Max Gradel remains a dangerous attacking threat, so the 35-year-old will continue to support striker Mustapha Yatabare.
At the opposite end of the pitch, Aaron Appindangoye and Dimitrios Goutas will start at centre-back, while backup goalkeeper Muammer Yildirim is expected to replace Ali Sasal Vural.
Fenerbahce, on the other hand, look set to be without key striker Enner Valencia on Wednesday after the Ecuadorian was forced off after 14 minutes last weekend.
Valencia has netted 31 goals this season, including 27 in as many league appearances, so he will be sorely missed by the Yellow Canaries, with Diego Rossi expected to take his place in the starting XI.
Attila Szalai, Miha Zajc, Altay Bayindir and Lincoln also find themselves on Fenerbahce's injury list, while Michy Batshuayi is a doubt for Wednesday's clash.
Sivasspor possible starting lineup:
Yildirim; Paluli, Appindangoye, Goutas, Erdal; Arslan; Yesilyurt, Charisis, Saiz, Gradel; Yatabare
Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:
Egribayat; Osayi-Samuel, Aziz, Akaydin, Peres; Guler, Arao, Yandas, Kadioglu; Pedro, Rossi
We say: Sivasspor 0-2 Fenerbahce
Even without the goals of Enner Valencia, Fenerbahce should be too strong for Sivasspor, with the visitors expected to notch a healthy first-leg lead on Wednesday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
body check tags ::
Previews by email
