Sivasspor enhanced their chances of Super Lig survival with an impressive 3-0 victory at Alanyaspor on Tuesday, but Riza Calimbay's men face a much sterner test this weekend.
Having avoided defeat in each of their last seven league games, Besiktas travel to Sivas on Saturday, with the Black Eagles soaring 18 points above Sivasspor in the Turkish Super Lig table.
Match preview
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Following a run of three losses in five league outings, it was pivotal that Sivasspor picked up a positive result against Alanyaspor on Tuesday, with relegation fears looming large.
Despite seeing just 35% of the ball, the Braves managed to secure a fine 3-0 win at the Kirbiyik Holding Stadium, with Mustapha Yatabare bagging a first-half brace and Max Gradel sealing the deal after the break.
Yatabare has now scored 11 goals across all competitions this season, while Gradel has racked up nine goals and eight assists, so Calimbay will be hoping that his productive pair can continue to steer the club away from the drop zone.
It is no secret that Sivasspor made a dismal start to the campaign – failing to win any of their first eight Super Lig matches – but they have turned the corner in recent weeks.
After winning just two of their opening 14 league outings, the Braves have claimed five victories in nine games since the World Cup, with wins against Esenler Erokspor and Karacabey Belediyespor taking them to the quarter-finals of the Turkish Cup.
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Meanwhile, Besiktas were held to a 1-1 draw by Fatih Karagumruk on Tuesday, with Cenk Tosun scoring his fifth goal in as many Super Lig games following a brace against Alanyaspor last week.
Although the Black Eagles will be disappointed to have dropped two points at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, they will be pleased to have extended their unbeaten run in the league to seven games.
It is worth noting that Senol Gunes's side managed to chalk up five consecutive Super Lig wins before drawing with Karagumruk, dispatching Adana Demirspor, Kasimpasa, Konyaspor, Kayserispor and Alanyaspor while keeping three clean sheets.
When you look at the bigger picture, Besiktas have lost just three of their 20 league matches this term – picking up 11 wins and six draws along the way – and they remain in contention for the title as a result.
Jackson Muleka scored twice as Besiktas beat Sivasspor 3-1 in the reverse fixture back in August, meaning the Black Eagles head into Saturday's clash on a run of four victories in five Super Lig games against the Braves.
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Team News
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Sivasspor will be without the injured trio of Murat Paluli (knee), Clinton N'Jie (thigh) and Fredrik Ulvestad (hamstring) on Saturday.
There are also question marks over the availability of centre-back Aaron Appindangoye and striker Leke James, with both players continuing to regain fitness following injury setbacks.
Mustapha Yatabare will lead the line for the hosts after netting two goals against Alanyaspor last time out, while the evergreen Max Gradel will support the club's top scorer in attack.
Besiktas also have a number of injury absentees at the moment, with Souza (knee), Rachid Ghezzal (toe) and Salih Ucan (groin) expected to miss the trip to Sivas.
Having scored 12 goals in 21 games across all competitions this season, Cenk Tosun will be confident of adding to his tally against Sivasspor, who have kept just one clean sheet in their last 11 league encounters.
Sivasspor possible starting lineup:
Vural; Okumus, Goutas, Osmanpasa, Ciftci; Cofie; Yesilyurt, Arslan, Charisis, Gradel; Yatabare
Besiktas possible starting lineup:
Gunok; Rosier, Welinton, Sanuc, Masuaku; Fernandes, Bingol; Redmond, Alli, Tosun; Aboubakar
We say: Sivasspor 1-2 Besiktas
There is no hiding the fact that Sivasspor have upped their game since the restart, but Calimbay's men could struggle to maintain their revival against Besiktas, who have won five of their last six Super Lig clashes.
Given that Sivasspor have only managed to win one of their 10 home league games this term, the Black Eagles look set to prey on their hosts this weekend.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Top tip
Ben Morris
