More than bragging rights at stake as Turkiye gears up for Istanbul derby

Besiktas host Fenerbahce for latest chapter in transcontinental rivalry with both teams eyeing spot in European football

By Emre Asikci

ISTANBUL (AA) – Istanbul – and Turkiye – will be a house divided this Sunday for one of the Super Lig’s most famous derbies.

As Besiktas host Fenerbahce for the latest chapter in the transcontinental rivalry of two of the most illustrious Turkish clubs, there are more than just bragging rights at stake this time around.

With three games left in the season, European football next season is on the line for both sides, giving this already charged clash an added punch.

Fenerbahce will make the trip across to Istanbul’s European part in high spirits – unbeaten in seven games, second on the table and with a firm grip on that all-important last spot for the UEFA Champions League qualification.

The Yellow Canaries are just four points ahead of third-placed Ittifak Holding Konyaspor, leaving little room for a slipup on Sunday.

For Besiktas, nothing less than a win will do, as they chase what currently seems an improbable fourth-place finish for a shot at the UEFA Europa Conference League.

The Black Eagles are sixth at the moment with 54 points, six short of Medipol Basaksehir and the coveted fourth spot.

However, they come into the match on the back of last week’s hard-fought away victory against Yukatel Kayserispor, a win that gave Valerien Ismael’s men a morale boost they direly needed.

Arda Kardesler will officiate Sunday’s high-voltage game, which will kick off at the Vodafone Park at 1600GMT.


- Week 36 fixtures

Friday:

Atakas Hatayspor - Trabzonspor

Gaziantep FK - Yukatel Kayserispor


Saturday:

Demir Grup Sivasspor - Kasimpasa

VavaCars Fatih Karagumruk - Goztepe

Medipol Basaksehir - Galatasaray

Adana Demirspor - Aytemiz Alanyaspor


Sunday:

Altay - GZT Giresunspor

Oznur Kablo Yeni Malatyaspor - Caykur Rizespor

Besiktas - Fenerbahce


Monday:

Fraport TAV Antalyaspor - Ittifak Holding Konyaspor​​​​​​​

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