Preview: Besiktas vs. Caykur Rizespor – prediction, team news, lineups

Besiktas will welcome Caykur Rizespor on Sunday, aiming to seal their place in next season’s UEFA Europa League by securing a top-four finish in the Turkish Super Lig.

The Black Eagles currently sit fourth in the table on 59 points, five clear of fifth-placed Istanbul Basaksehir with just two matches remaining.

Match preview

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Besiktas appear to have found form at the business end of the campaign, putting themselves in a strong position to qualify for Europe, especially with the Super Lig now having five continental slots due to Galatasaray’s Turkish Cup victory.

After a difficult run of four matches without victory between early and mid-April, a spell that included two defeats and two draws, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer‘s side have steadied the ship and are now unbeaten in their last five games.

Their revival began with a 1-1 draw against Goztepe, which they followed up with three consecutive victories over Hatayspor, Fenerbahce and Adana Demirspor, before they were held to a 1-1 draw at Alanyaspor last time out but remain in control of their European destiny.

Those results saw them briefly climb to third before slipping back to fourth, and they now require just a point against Rizespor to mathematically guarantee Europa League qualification ahead of the final weekend.

Besiktas have enjoyed a dominant record against this weekend’s opponents, going 17 matches unbeaten in this fixture, a run that will give them confidence heading into Sunday’s clash.

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As for Rizespor, they arrive in Istanbul with little more than pride to play for, having secured their top-flight status for another year.

The Black Sea Sparrowhawks confirmed survival in emphatic fashion last weekend, seeing off Goztepe 6-3, though speculation continues to swirl around manager Ilhan Palut‘s future after what has been, overall, a disappointing campaign.

Rizespor sit on 43 points, seven clear of the drop zone, meaning they are mathematically safe with two games to spare – nevertheless, they will be keen to end a few unwanted streaks.

The visitors are still searching for their first win over Besiktas in over a decade, while they have also lost their last five away matches in all competitions.

Team News

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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to injury, while Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov also remains sidelined for Besiktas.

Milot Rashica and Mustafa Hekimoglu failed to make an impact against Alanyaspor, and as a result, Keny Arroyo and Ernest Muci are likely to come into the starting XI.

Rizespor’s Giannis Papanikolaou remains unavailable due to a long-term problem, making him the only injury casualty.

Altin Zeqiri is expected to return to the starting XI after catching the eye in the victory over Goztepe.

Besiktas possible starting lineup:
Gunok; Masuaku, Paulista, Uduokhai, Svensson; Hadziahmetovic, Fernandes; Arroyo, Rafa, Muci; Immobile

Caykur Rizespor possible starting lineup:
Grbic; Akaydin, Sahin, Aliqulov, Hojer; Olawoyin, Pala; Akintola, Varesanovic, Zeqiri; Sowe

We say: Besiktas 2-1 Caykur Rizespor

Besiktas have found form at just the right time and with Europa League qualification within reach, they should be fully motivated and secure the win against a Rizespor side that have been poor on the road and historically struggle in this fixture.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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