Preview: Besiktas vs. Goztepe SK - prediction, team news, lineups

Besiktas will aim to extend their unbeaten league run to four games when they welcome Goztepe SK to Vodafone Park on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Goztepe sit in a lowly 18th place after losing their last two league games, which leaves them four points adrift of safety.

Match preview

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After winning the Turkish Super Lig last season, Besiktas will be disappointed to find themselves in ninth position after 17 games.

However, a win and two draws from their last three league encounters signals an upturn in form, while a home fixture with relegation-threatened Goztepe is a great opportunity to build upon a recent run of positive results.

Having taken charge of the last two games, caretaker boss Onder Karaveli will be pleased with his side's efforts, which included a 2-2 draw against rivals Fenerbahce last time out.

Despite trailing on two occasions at the weekend, a Josef de Souza brace ensured Besiktas picked up a point against their local rivals.

Having collected 19 of their 25 points at home, Karaveli will be confident that his side can benefit once again from home advantage as he looks to continue his unbeaten start as caretaker boss.

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The visitors will be aiming to avoid a third consecutive defeat when they travel to Istanbul to face Besiktas on Thursday.

Last weekend, Fatih Karagumruk's Caner Erkin struck in the 76th minute to condemn Goztepe to their sixth home defeat of the Turkish Super Lig season.

Goztepe have only won on three occasions in the league this term, and a fourth victory seems unlikely on Thursday, given the fact that they have lost all of their last five away games against Besiktas.

Although, having avoided defeat in three of their last four away league games, Nestor El Maestro will be hopeful that his side can pick up at least a point on Thursday.

However, the Goztepe boss will be aware that if his side are to avoid the drop then they need to be more clinical in the final third having only scored 16 league goals this season.

Team News

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Besiktas are expected to be without Ajdin Hasic and Georges-Kevin NKoudou due to injury issues.

After returning to the starting lineup to grab a brace at the weekend, Souza will keep his place in the starting lineup.

Michy Batshuayi has top-scored for Besiktas in the league this season, and the Chelsea loanee will look to add to his six-goal tally when he starts Thursday's encounter.

As for the visitors, they will be without the services of Marko Mihojevic, who is unavailable due to an ankle problem.

Lourency will also be absent for Goztepe as he serves a one-match suspension for yellow card accumulation.

Although, Halil Akbunar will return to the starting lineup after missing the weekend's encounter due to suspension.

Besiktas possible starting lineup:
Destanoglu; Rosier, Uysal, Vida, Yilmaz; Bozdogan, Souza, Pjanic; Ghezzal, Larin, Batshuayi

Goztepe SK possible starting lineup:
Egribayat; Cankaya, Nukan, Arslanagic; Paluli, Aydogdu, Nwobodo, Emir; Tijanic, Akbunar, Jahovic

We say: Besiktas 2-1 Goztepe SK

Besiktas have won six of their nine home league games this season, and we expect them to collect another victory when they face a Goztepe side who are embroiled in a relegation battle.

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