The second most important derby in Turkish football is taking place in Inonu Stadium, at 19.00 CET.

Besiktas are not having the best of seasons but they have recently seemed to improve their performance in the domestic league. I had the chance to watch their Wolfsburg clash in the Champions League couple of weeks ago and wasn’t impressed with their style of play and approach to the game. Their opponent was all over them and they seemed unable to cope with high levelled teams. They have an experienced coach in Turkish football history but seems he is having hard times to keep the team ready for competing for high aims, this season.

Fenerbahce on the other hand are flying high in the Turkish Super League and also UEFA Europa League by staying at the top in both competitions. It seems they have no problem in scoring special thanks to their fantastic Brazilian attacking midfielder Alex de Souza and total team play. Their attackers seem short on form but their coach Daum seems to field Colin Kazim Richards at the front line as the striker who got the applauds in their derby win against Galatasaray and latest win in Europa League clash against Steaua. The Spanish international Dani Guiza and Turkkish international Semih Senturk will be waiting in the bench for a second half chance.

Besiktas will have the home venue advantage, no need to mention the huge fan supports of Istanbul teams so they will definately be looking forward to use that advantage. Fenerbahce didn’t lose a single game against Besiktas in the last 5 years time and seems they have no problem prepearing themselves to derbies mentally as their statistics are more than good in Istanbul rivalries.

The quality is on the Fenerbahce side without a doubt. Their squad is more balanced and have some quality playes in critical positions. Besiktas’ only upper hand is the match’s being on their home venue but that is not something to rely on much by itself if you don’t have a suitable team to make it count. I am going for a double chance in favor of Fenerbahce here.

Prediction
Fenerbahce | X2 Double Chance
Extras
Draw at HT | Fenerbahce at FT