Turkish trio fancied to progress in Europe
Three of Turkey’s four representatives in Europe have made solid starts to their respective campaigns in the Champions League and Europa League.
Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas are all in with a shout of qualifying for the knockout stages, but Akhisar face a difficult task after losing their first two games in European competitions.
Read on as we assess the quartet’s chances of progressing to the next stage in Europe.
Galatasaray eyeing last 16 in Champions League
The Turkish champions got off to a flyer in Group D in the Champions League, winning 3-0 at home to Lokomotiv Moscow.
They were arguably unfortunate to come away empty-handed from their second match, with Porto securing a narrow 1-0 victory in Portugal.
That result left Porto level with Schalke on four points at the top of the group, with Galatasaray just one point behind.
The Turkish club host Schalke on Wednesday, October 24, and a victory there would give them an excellent chance of reaching the last 16.
Big test for Fenerbahce in Belgium
Fans will be glued to live online streaming on Ronaldo7 on Thursday, October 25, as Fenerbahce travel to Belgium to face Anderlecht in the Europa League.
Fenerbahce were drubbed 4-1 by Dinamo Zagreb in their opening Group D game, but they bounced back with a 2-0 home win against Spartak Trnava.
Anderlecht are yet to pick up a point after two games in the competition, but it would be foolish to underestimate the Belgian side.
With Zagreb fancied to defeat Trnava on the same evening, a draw against Anderlecht would be a decent result for Fenerbahce.
Besiktas’ group could go down to the wire
All four teams in Group I in the Europa League have three points after two games and the battle to qualify for the last 32 will probably go to the last round of fixtures.
Besiktas beat Sarpsborg 3-1 in their opening game, but they came down to earth with a 2-0 defeat at Malmo on matchday two.
The Turkish side host Genk in their next game and they are fancied to come out on top in this one. Besiktas are also favourites to finish top of the group and it would be a surprise if they didn’t make it out the group.
Akhisar face an uphill battle
Akhisar have already lost against FC Krasnodar and Standard Liege and it is difficult to imagine them finishing in the top two in Group J.
Things don’t get any easier in the next game, with the Turkish side facing a daunting trip to Spain to face Sevilla.
With the La Liga side due to visit Turkey on matchday four on Thursday, November 8, Akhisar’s flirtation with the Europa League could be a brief one.
