Fenerbahce take on Gaziantepspor at the Gaziantep Arena on Sunday 26 February hoping to get their season back on track after a dip in form which has seen them crash out of the Europa League and fall 10 points behind league leaders Besiktas.
Fenerbahce have the chance to make up lost ground on the Turkish league leaders as they will be taking on Galatasaray in the Istanbul derby on Monday.
Gaziantepspor are currently last in the league but they did manage to beat title challengers Basaksehir last week.
Fenerbahce have Robin van Persie, Alper Potuk and Jeremain Lens returning from suspension but star keeper Volkan Demirel is out.
The Istanbul giants must show a response against Gaziantepspor if they want to stand any chance of mounting a title challenge. A more pressing concern is missing out on a European place which would be a blow to the club finances.
Fenerbahce are currently 4th but Trabzonspor and Antalyaspor are breathing down their neck. If the Canaries lose today, Antalyaspor could overtake them next week.
Dick Advocaat’s side have not been in the best of form but with a full strength squad against the worst team in the league if they can’t get a result the Dutch manager’s job could be on the line.
Prediction: Fenerbahce Win
GAZİANTEPSPOR-FENERBAHÇE
Stadium: Gaziantep Arena
Kick-Off: 16:00
Referee: Yaşar Kemal Uğurlu
GAZİANTEPSPOR: Victor, Elyasa, Reis, Pedroso, Barış, Ben Hatira, Sefa, Fatau, Marcinho, Kisliak, Ghilas
MANAGER: Bülent Uygun
FENERBAHÇE: Fabiano, Van der Wiel, Skrtel, Mehmet Topal, İsmail, Ozan, Josef de Souza, Lens, Volkan, Sow, Fernandao
MANAGER: Dirk Advocaat
