The Turkish Super Lig season continues at the weekend as title-chasing Fenerbahce travel to Alanyaspor on Sunday.
The hosts are 10th in the Super Lig table, whilst the visitors are second coming into the fixture at the Kirbiyik Holding Stadium.
Match preview
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It has been a season of upheaval for Alanyaspor so far as Francesco Farioli was sacked as manager in February after a run of just two wins in 10 matches, despite one of those victories being a 5-0 rout of Trabzonspor in January.
Ersun Yanal got off to the perfect start in the dugout with a 1-0 success over Istanbul Basaksehir in his first match, but last time out Alanyaspor were beaten 2-0 away at Ankaragucu courtesy of strikes from Ali Sowe and Milson.
That result has left the Alanya outfit 10th in the league but only four points clear of the relegation zone, and they are in need of a victory on Sunday to put more daylight between themselves and the dotted line - a third win in eight fixtures could take them above Fatih Karagumruk and into ninth.
Alanyaspor's home form has been decent all season as they have only lost twice in front of their own fans, and they will need to maintain these levels if they are to survive.
Yanal's side are looking for their seventh win in 13 matches at the Kirbiyik Holding Stadium and the second there under his watch.
Olympiacos loanee Ahmed Hassan Koka has been the standout performer for Alanyaspor this term, his eight goals keeping their league position respectable. The Egyptian will be hoping to increase his tally in the remaining months of the campaign and keep them away from danger.
Jorge Jesus's Fenerbahce are flying domestically right now as they are unbeaten in their last eight Super Lig matches, and have won five of the last six league fixtures.
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The Istanbul outfit triumphed 2-1 away at Kayserispor last weekend thanks to goals from Enner Valencia and Ferdi Kadioglu, a victory that stretched their lead over third-placed Besiktas to five points and kept the pressure on leaders Galatasaray.
They did suffer the disappointment of being knocked out of the Europa League at the last 16 stage in midweek, though, losing 2-1 to Sevilla on aggregate.
It remains to be seen how that blow will affect Fenerbahce but a win over Alanyaspor could cut the gap at the top to six points.
They have been scoring for fun in the league this season, with their tally of 58 goals in 23 clashes being the highest in the division. Valencia and Michy Batshuayi have been in electric form this term, netting 33 between them and spearheading Fenerbahce's title charge.
The visitors have an excellent record on the road with seven wins and only two losses in 11 fixtures putting them second in the away table, and Jesus's side will be confident of gaining an eighth win in 12 such games this weekend to keep the pressure on their great rivals at the summit.
Fenerbahce have also enjoyed recent success against Alanyaspor, as they have won the last three matches against Sunday's opponents including a 5-0 thrashing of them in the reverse fixture in September.
The Istanbul team scored 14 times in those games and are strong favourites to record a league double and fourth successive win over Yanal's team at the weekend.
Team News
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Alanyaspor midfielder Leroy Fer is suspended after being sent off against Ankaragucu, so Arnaud Lusamba will take his place in front of the defence.
Fatih Aksoy is doubtful for the meeting with Fenerbahce after being substituted last time out with a knock.
Portuguese winger Daniel Candeias is likely to fill in at right-back due to a lack of options in that position.
Fenerbahce could be without Michy Batshuayi after he was injured against Sevilla in midweek - former Bournemouth and Watford man Joshua King may partner Valencia in attack if Batshuayi is unavailable.
Hungarian defender Attila Szalai is also serving a suspension for a red card, meaning that Serdar Aziz will start at centre-back.
Lincoln is likely to miss the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament tear, so Jayden Oosterwolde will replace him at left-back.
Brazilian Luan Peres is out for the Istanbul side on Sunday due to an unspecified injury.
Alanyaspor possible starting lineup:
Runarsson; Candeias, Bayir, Feddal, Ozdemir; Gunes, Lusamba; Karaca, Bekiroglu, Cavaleiro; Koka
Fenerbahce possible starting lineup:
Bayindir; Oosterwolde, Aziz, Akaydin, Kadioglu; Arao; Rossi, Guler, Kahveci; King, Valencia
We say: Alanyaspor 0-3 Fenerbahce
Fenerbahce are at the top of their game right now and will be aiming to put the midweek European exit behind them, and resume their push for the title on Sunday.
Jesus's side may have too much firepower for the hosts, with Enner Valencia in especially superb form.
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