Beşiktaş vs. Galatasaray – News and Probable Lineups

In great form, Besiktas will look to influence the Turkish Super Lig title race by hosting league leaders Galatasaray at Tupras Stadium this Saturday evening, setting the stage for a high-stakes Istanbul derby.

The Black Eagles are on an impressive 18-match unbeaten streak across all competitions (12W, 6D), a run that has catapulted them into the top four, although Cimbom will be keen to disrupt that progress while trying to maintain their four-point lead over second-placed Fenerbahce.

Match overview

The return of Sergen Yalcin as head coach has been a strategic success for Besiktas, as he has restored both the team’s identity and confidence, particularly after a period of inconsistency earlier this season.

Currently sitting fourth with 46 points, the Black Eagles are unbeaten in their last 13 league contests (8W, 5D), and they have secured victories in their last three matches. Their latest triumph was a hard-fought 1-0 win against Kocaelispor, with January recruit Emmanuel Agbadou netting the crucial goal.

This outcome showcased Besiktas’ increasing maturity under Yalcin, confirming their ability to secure results as effectively as they can dominate opponents. However, they showcased their attacking prowess again on Wednesday, defeating Caykur Rizespor 4-1 in the Turkish Cup to advance to the quarter-finals.

Nonetheless, Saturday’s match will pose a significantly greater challenge, as encountering the league leaders is the toughest test Besiktas has faced during their resurgence. The memory of a 1-1 stalemate in the prior encounter, however, should instil confidence in them.

Indeed, the Black Eagles have not lost in their last two clashes with Galatasaray, having previously won 2-1 before that draw. Their home record for this fixture is also formidable, with seven victories in the nine Super Lig matches played at Tupras Stadium since relocating there in 2016, suffering just one defeat in that span.

Just a week ago, it seemed as though Galatasaray’s season might be faltering after a surprising 2-0 loss to Konyaspor reignited Fenerbahce’s hopes in the title race, while their Champions League fixture against Juventus grew increasingly tense after giving up a three-goal aggregate lead.

Ultimately, Okan Buruk’s side advanced to the Champions League Round of 16 for the first time since 2014 and have since reinforced their position domestically.

A 3-1 victory over Alanyaspor last weekend allowed them to leverage Fenerbahce’s recent back-to-back draws, stretching their lead at the top to four points.

They reinforced this with another win against Alanyaspor, claiming a 2-1 triumph in the Turkish Cup on Tuesday, showcasing the squad’s ability to compete effectively in various tournaments.

While Galatasaray may have one eye on the upcoming Champions League first leg against Liverpool, a win in a venue that has historically presented challenges for them would deliver a significant psychological advantage over their title contenders.

Team News

Besiktas will be without forward El Bilal Toure due to injury, and defender Emir Topcu is also sidelined.

Both Necip Uysal and Taylan Bulut are dealing with minor injuries and will need to undergo late fitness tests to be considered for selection.

Soon after joining from Genk in January, South Korean striker Oh Hyeon-gyu has made an immediate impact, netting three league goals and contributing another in the Turkish Cup last midweek—he will seek to maintain that strong form in the derby.

Captain Orkun Kokcu returns from suspension after missing the victory against Kocaelispor, and his inclusion should significantly enhance Besiktas’ creativity, especially as he currently leads the league in big chances created.

Galatasaray will miss Metahan Baltaci, who is suspended due to his involvement in a betting scandal, while young defender Arda Unyay continues to recover from injury.

Cimbom has also faced defensive difficulties lately, having failed to secure a clean sheet in their last six matches, leading Buruk to consider his central defensive pairing, with Wilfried Singo and Davinson Sanchez emerging as the most likely candidates.

Victor Osimhen returned to the squad and found the net in their recent league win against Alanyaspor, and the Nigerian striker’s presence may be crucial in Saturday’s derby.

Besiktas probable starting XI:

Destanolglu; Murillo, Djalo, Agbadou, Yilmaz; Come in, Didi; Cerny, Olaitan, Under; Oh

Galatasaray probable starting XI:

Chakir; Boey, Singo, Sanchez, Elmali; Torreira, Sara; Yilmaz, Sane, Lang; Osimhen

Besiktas heads into this Istanbul derby in excellent form and will believe their momentum can pose a challenge to league leaders Galatasaray.

Nevertheless, the visitors have consistently shown resilience in crucial moments and remain highly motivated to defend their lead in the Turkish Super Lig title race.