Preview: Hatayspor vs. Besiktas - prediction, team news, lineups

Two of the top three sides in the Turkish Super Lig table will square off on Saturday, as defending champions Besiktas travel to take on Hatayspor.

The visitors are arguably yet to find their best form this campaign and currently sit in third spot, four points off the summit, while their hosts only lead on goal difference.

Match preview

© Reuters

After collecting one point from the first two games of the season, Hatayspor have quickly found form, winning six of their eight league games since.

That started with four straight victories, as they defeated Alanyaspor, Caykur Rizespor, Kayserispor and Goztepe, scoring 11 goals and conceding just one in the process, before their run was put to an end by a narrow defeat to title-chasing Fenerbache.

Omer Erdogan's side quickly bounced back though, defeating Yeni Malatyaspor and Gaziantep FK before drawing with fifth-placed Faith Karagumruk last time out.

Ayoub El Kaabi gave them a lead away from home, but Aleksandar Pesic quickly equalised to force a share of the spoils, and they will now look to continue their impressive run of form and start to the season when they return to action on Saturday.

© Reuters

They face a tough test though, as Besiktas arrive with the hopes of building a more consistent run in the Turkish top flight.

After narrowly pipping Galatasaray to the league title on goal difference last season, the Black Eagles have had a relatively mixed start to the new term by their own standards, having already fallen four points behind league leaders Trabzonspor.

Following a disappointing 3-2 defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir and their third consecutive Champions League group loss, Sergen Yalcin's side sat in a concerning situation, but they managed to bounce back in style on Monday with a vital 2-1 home win over title rivals Galatasaray.

Alexandru Cicaldau put the visitors ahead in the first half, but Cyle Larin immediately equalised before netting his second of the game on the hour mark to secure all three points for his side.

Having failed to establish a winning run in the top flight so far this season, Yalcin's men will be desperate to build on their big win on Saturday, but they take on a side in fine form.

Team News

© Reuters

Having kept a very similar side throughout their strong run of form, Hatayspor are again expected to make minimal changes to the starting XI for Saturday's game.

Former Manchester United striker Mame Biram Diouf will continue to lead the line, having netted 24 goals in 47 appearances since joining the club in 2020, including five goals in nine league games so far this season.

He is complemented well by winger Saba Lobjanidze, who has acted as a creative hub, netting three goals and providing five assists in his first nine league appearances of the campaign.

The Black Eagles should also deploy a relatively unchanged side after a strong showing on Monday, with Barcelona loanee Miralem Pjanic and Souza continuing to handle business in midfield.

Winger Cyle Larin will again play a key role after netting a brace last time out, while Michy Batshuayi will continue to lead the line, having hit four goals in eight league games since arriving on loan from Chelsea.

Former Leicester City winger Rachid Ghezzal and experienced creative midfielder Alex Teixeira round off a threatening front four, posing plenty of problems to the hosts.

Hatayspor possible starting lineup:
Munir; Corekci, Kurucuk, Oksuz, Adekugbe; Traore, Ribeiro; Lobjanidze, Colak, El Kaabi; Diouf

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

We say: Hatayspor 1-2 Besiktas

While the hosts have shown themselves to be a particularly tough side to beat this season, we still back the defending champions to narrowly get over the line on Saturday.

The Black Eagles boast plenty of quality going forward and should be able to overpower their hosts with the momentum from a major win in the title race at the start of the week.