The Super Lig has opened up into a three-horse race over the past five weeks with just three points separating leaders Basaksehir, second-placed Galatasaray and third-placed Besiktas.
There is still everything to play for and it really could go down to the wire. If you fancy backing one of the three title challengers I would recommend shopping around the best betting sites for the best prices.
It seems just yesterday that Basaksehir were eight points ahead of second-placed Galatasaray cruising towards their first ever championship.
The first sign of Basaksehir wobbling was the 1-1 draw against Kayserispor five weeks ago. Just a fortnight later they lost their first game of 2019 against Besiktas followed by a 1-1 draw against Rize and then a 2-0 loss to relegation strugglers Goztepe.
Basaksehir take on Sivasspor away over the weekend. The home side are just six points above the relegation zone so they still have something to play for. The visitors meanwhile look on the ropes. I thought the pressure would get to them at some stage but was not expected Abdullah Avci’s side to implode. Although it is worth remembering they had a similar meltdown last season. I honestly think there could be another upset and would not be surprised if Basaksehir dropped points.
Besiktas were 11 points behind the leader just a few weeks back. They have closed the gap to three points and are the most in-form side in the league winning their last five games. The Black Eagles face their toughest test yet away to Galatasaray.
The Lions could have gone top have they won their last three games. Fatih Terim’s side have picked up just five points from a possible nine over their last three matches.
Besiktas could end the week as league leaders and going on recent form we would not put it past them. However, the form book goes out the window in derby games. Pressure, emotions and other psychological factors get involved, making predictions very tricky.
Two of the best managers in the history of Turkish football, Fatih Teirm of Galatasaray and Senol Gunes of Besiktas go head to head in this clash of the titans.
The Black-Whites have lost just one derby game this season and did beat Galatasaray 1-0 the last time these two sides met. Besiktas have hit unstoppable form just at the right time. Gunes has finally got his side to click into place. He has no major injury concerns heading into the tie.
Momentum is with the visitors but Galatasaray have the 12th man behind them and you can be certain they’ll create a raucous atmosphere.
I predict the winner of the derby to go onto win the league title. Basaksehir are clinging on and could very well end up dropping out of the top two altogether. And they still have to face Galatasaray.
