What: Turkish Super Lig
Who: Besiktas vs Galatasaray
When: Sunday 20th November, 2011, at 17:00 UK time
Where: Inonu Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey
Seeking Improvement
Even though both teams do not occupy the front-running positions in the Super Lig at the moment, a meeting between Besiktas and Galatasaray remains one of Turkish football’s most anticipated matches, as these clubs have long wrestled over the supremacy of Istanbul. Home at the Inonu Stadium, a win over Galatasaray would be the boost that the Black Eagles need in order to reboot a league campaign which sees them seventh and four points off the pace.
The news at the club in recent days has centered over the surprising release of midfielder Guti. With his contract due to end in the summer, the former Real Madrid legend broke his ties with the club; news of his unhappiness in Turkey was well known. A playmaker with few peers, his time in Istanbul was one of little success at a side whose string of inconsistent results have seen them slip down in the league pecking order, while their continental form is worrying with just six points from four Europa League games.
In the 327th Istanbul derby between the two sides, Besiktas coach Carlos Carvalhal knows that a loss against Galatasaray would a big blow to their title aspirations. With the likes of Hugo Almeida and Simao Sabrosa, the Black Eagles have the team to claim victory, though a leaky defence, which conceded four goals in a 4-2 loss at Genclerbirligi in their last Super Lig match, must surely improve.
Crucial Times
Galatasaray’s luck might be better than that of their weekend hosts, but the 2008 Super Lig winners know that the match against Besiktas will only be the first of many tough tasks, with their anticipated derby against league leaders Fenerbahce and then second-placed Trabzonspor just two weeks from now. Having won just five out of ten league games so far, the onus is on the team to pick up the pace of their performances.
So far, the departure of team captain and talisman Arda Turan to Atletico Madrid over the summer has had minimal effect at the Turk Telekom Arena. Galatasaray have managed to keep in the hunt in the Super Lig, losing only to Istanbul Buyuksehir on the opening day of the season and Gaziantepspor some weeks ago.
With the team not having to play any European football this year, they have the luxury of a lighter schedule. However, Besiktas had the upper hand in recent derbies as Galatasaray’s last win over the Black Eagles was back in September 2009 – courtesy of a Milan Baros hat-trick.
Recent form
Besiktas:
Besiktas 3-1 Sivasspor (30/10; Super Lig)
Besiktas 1-0 Dynamo Kyiv (03/11; Europa League)
Genclerbirligi 4-2 Besiktas (06/11; Super Lig)
Galatasaray:
Galatasaray 2-4 Gaziantepspor (26/10; Super Lig)
Kayserispor 0-2 Galatasaray (30/10; Super Lig)
Galatasaray 0-0 Mersin Idman Yurdu (05/11; Super Lig)
Key absences
Besiktas: Bebe; Ersan Gulum
Galatasaray: Yekta Kurtulus
Players to watch
Besiktas – Simao Sabrosa: The Portuguese winger has become a pillar of the side since landing in Turkey eleven months ago. His speed and trickiness will pose a threat to the opposition’s defence all night long, as many Spanish defenders in the past can bear witness to.
Galatasaray – Felipe Melo: The central midfielder has rejuvenated himself after a torrid time in Italy with Juventus, already grabbing three league goals in eight games in his maiden season with his new club. More of the same will be expected from the Brazilian should he want to extend his stay.
Match Prediction
Galatasaray appear to be enjoying much better times than their hosts, while Besiktas have looked shaky of late, especially at the back, and their opponents could find this the ideal opportunity to clinch an important three points and improve their derby record after some time on the losing side. Expect Galatasaray to win by a single goal margin.
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