Preview: Fenerbahce vs. Giresunspor - prediction, team news, lineups

Fenerbahce head into Thursday's Super Lig fixture with Giresunspor looking to record their first win in three games.

While the home side are in sixth position in the table, the visitors are down in 19th place after failing to prevail in any of their opening five fixtures.

Match preview

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Ahead of the trip to winless Istanbul Basaksehir, Fenerbahce would have expected to post another three points to keep pace with some of their rivals.

However, Sari Kanaryalar were upstaged by their hosts, who eventually posted a 2-0 win courtesy of a second goal being netted in the final minute.

Fenerbahce have now gone three matches without a victory in all competitions, a cause for concern for Vitor Pereira after five successive wins during August.

Games continue to come thick and fast given their participation in the Europa League, but the Portuguese may welcome the game time to help some of his squad rediscover their best form.

Despite finding himself in and out of the starting lineup, Mesut Ozil has still contributed two goals and an assist during 271 minutes of football.

The trip to the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium will feel daunting to this Giresunspor side as they continue to search for their first goal.

However, claiming a goalless draw against high-flying Konyaspor was a step in the right direction, moving the club off the bottom of the table.

With Galatasaray and Trabzonspor also featuring in their opening five games, Hakan Keles will not be too downbeat about the start of the division's newcomers.

These two sides squared off in the cup on four occasions during 2018, Fenerbahce prevailing in each match and scoring a total of 11 goals.

Team News

Pereira wasted little time in making alterations against Basaksehir, suggesting that he could bring in fresh faces for this contest.

Ozil and Enner Valencia should both feature from the opening whistle, while Diego Rossi may also be handed a chance in the final third.

Filip Novak is also an option at left wing-back after making his first appearance in a month.

After earning a point versus Konyaspor, Keles may stick with the same Giresunspor starting lineup.

That would see the likes of former Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Joey Pelupessy and forward Ibrahima Balde selected among the replacements.

Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:
Bayindir; Min-Jae, Szalai, Aziz; Oseyi-Samuel, Meyer, Gustavo, Novak; Ozil, Rossi, Valencia

Giresunspor possible starting lineup:
Piri; Yavru, Douglas, Perez, Behich; Serginho, Suleymanov, Traore, Flavio, Diabate; Doukara

We say: Fenerbahce 3-1 Giresunspor

Given their talent in the final third, you would think that it is only a matter of time before Fenerbahce find some form. That moment could come on Thursday, and we are predicting a relatively comfortable victory for the home side.