The 21st round of the 2017-18 Super Lig season is about to kick off.
The top four all shot blanks last week, failing to win. Fortunately for them the sides immediately underneath them also failed to record a victory – apart from Kayserispor.
Our current record for picks stand at 52 wins 38 loss.
Malatyaspor vs Kasimpasa
Don’t trust Kasimpasa’s away form. Don’t trust Malatyaspor’s form at all.
Goztepe vs Osmanlispor
Goztepe have had a really tough run of games facing Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, Trabzonspor and 5th placed Kayserispor. The Izmir giants managed two points from a maximum 12 but actually held up pretty well. Expect Osmanlispor to struggle against a battle-hardened Goztepe side.
Prediction: Goztepe Win LOSS
Besiktas vs Karabukspor
When Alvaro Negredo rescued a point with his last-gasp equaliser most Besiktas fans thought what is the point…
Well it turns out he won his side a very important point as Galatasaray lost while Fenerbahce and Basaksehir both dropped points.
What started as a disaster turned out to be a pretty good week for the reigning Super Lig champions. Besiktas simply cannot afford to drop points at home anymore. Drawing away to Bursaspor is not a bad result in the grander scheme of things but failing to beat last placed Karabukspor would spell trouble.
Prediction: Besiktas Win WIN
Kayserispor vs Sivasspor
This game might not be the most attractive on the face of it but make no doubt about it, this is a huge regional derby. A rivalry stretching back decades. Both sides have been playing well. Helped by the fact they are used to the freezing conditions of the central Anatolian plateau – while at the same time you can go for a swim in the Mediterranean on the south coast – they have been climbing up the game. I fancy Kayserispor at home. They have the stronger side and one of the most exciting managers in the league.
Prediction: Kayserispor Win LOSS
Akhisar vs Bursaspor
Bursaspor snapped a poor run of form with a draw against rivals Besiktas. The Green Crocodiles put on the kind of display that had them knocking on the door of the top four just a few weeks back. Expect Bursaspor to at least not lost to this out of form Akhisar side.
Prediction: Bursaspor -0 (Draw No Bet)LOSS
Alanyaspor vs Konyaspor
Avoid!
Basaksehir vs Fenerbahce
Who would have thought this game would ever be classified a big derby just a few years back? Basaksehir have gone from minnows to heroes under Abdullah Avci. The league leaders are first on merit. Playing great football, scoring the second highest number of goals (40) after Galatasaray (43) and conceding the fewest (19). Fenerbahce meanwhile continue to grind out results. The Yellow Canaries have not lost in 14 games but you would never think so going by the fans. The supporters are growing increasingly frustrated with Aykut Kocaman’s rather conservative approach to football. Let’s just say Fenerbahce do not play the most aesthetically pleasing football. But what is more important, results or style? The Canaries are real title challengers, they are organised and resolute. Then again so are Basaksehir. This could end in a deadlock but the value is definitely on the home side.
Prediction: Basaksehir -0 (Draw No Bet) LOSS
Galatasaray vs Antalyaspor
Galatasaray will be desperate to make amends for last weeks defeat to Sivasspor. I do not see Antalyaspor putting up much resistance in the Turk Telekom Arena.
Prediction: Galatasaray Win WIN