Besiktas will host Alanyaspor with both teams on opposite ends of the Super Lig table. The title-chasing hosts are in fifth place with a three-point advantage over the top three. Their opponents are in 18th place but only in the relegation zone due to goal differential.
Preview (Besiktas vs. Alanyaspor)
After a dismal start to their campaign, Besiktas will make their way back to Istanbul on Thursday. They will attempt to turn things around and win the Turkish Super Lig title for the first time since 2021. The Black Eagles have won eight games and lost five. It included a devastating setback to Fenerbahce in their most recent league match. The result left them 14 points behind rivals Galatasaray and Fenerbahce after 15 rounds of play. The team led by Rizal Cambiay lost a 3-1 match against Fenerbahce in December. Despite equalizing through Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the first half, the visitors’ lead was regained approximately an hour later by Dusan Tadic.
After the Super Liga action’s suspension last weekend due to a referee’s assault, Besiktas is back in action. They won their last Europa Conference League group match last Thursday, 2-0, away at Lugano. Before this, the team had already qualified for elimination from the competition after earning just one point from their first five games. Their whole attention is now focused on rescuing the Super Lig campaign. Calimbay’s team will need to start winning on Thursday.
They take on an Alanyaspor team that is looking to win back-to-back league games for the first time this year after a difficult start to their campaign to retain their top-flight position. Despite having a strong start to the 2023–24 season, the visitors would only manage one more three-point haul from the following thirteen attempts. Their second victory came in early October. After that, they would suffer five consecutive Super League losses while giving up 11 goals and scoring just once.
Team News
With 11 goals this season, Vincent Aboubakar leads the team in scoring. However, Besiktas will be without Jean Onana, Eric Bailly, Rachid Ghezzal, and Vincent Aboubakar on Thursday. The club suspended the four players after their loss to Fenerbahce, citing subpar play. When the Cameroon international is not available, Cenk Tosun will once again start at the front of the line after scoring his fifth goal of the year in their most recent away victory in Lugano. Ante Rebic will want to return in support of the forward, with Jackson Muleka expected to maintain his position on the right wing.
Other than that, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will still be a vital member of the midfield; his red card against Lugano will not affect his availability for the Super Lig; in Bailly’s absence, Daniel Amartey and Bakhtiyar Zaynutdinov should once again play together in defense. Following a clean sheet in their previous game, Alanyaspor defeated Istanbulspor 1-0 on the road. They should field an identical starting lineup for Thursday’s match, using a 4-2-3-1 formation. Nuno Lima and Fidan Aliti will likely start amid a back four.
With five goals in 15 league games this season, Joao Novais leads their scoring charts. Richard is expected to join him once more, and he will continue to be an important member of the midfield. Sergio Cordova will remain the line leader going forward, with Pieone Sisto, Efecan Karaca, and Oguz Aydin vying for a spot in the supporting trio.
Besiktas 2-1 Alanyaspor
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