Istanbul Basaksehir vs Fiorentina Predictions

• Istanbul Basaksehir have won their last five matches in all competitions.
• Fiorentina have failed to win any of their four away games this season, losing the last two.

Turkish delight on cards for hot hosts

Istanbul Basaksehir have enough class and European nous to ensure Fiorentina’s woeful away run this season continues in Turkey on Thursday.

Emre Belozoglu’s side were too classy Hearts in last week’s Europa Conference League Group A clash at Tynecastle when a 4-0 victory didn’t flatter the visitors. The Orange-Navy Blues controlled the game even without the services of highest earner Mesut Ozil, who remains mysteriously absent with flu.

Ozil, who has played just ten minutes of first-team football this season, was left out of their squad again for Monday’s crucial Turkish Super Lig win at Besiktas that extended their win streak to five in all competitions.

La Viola look shaky on the road

Belozoglu has plenty of talent at his disposal elsewhere, including ex-Chelsea winger Bertrand Traore, and should see his side dominate possession against an opponent that may be more concerned about avoiding a Serie A relegation fight.

La Viola could only draw their Group A opener against Latvian minnows Rigas FS, although that was down to a mixture of good fortune, Fiorentina profligacy and fine goalkeeping. The Italian side dominated possession, had 32 shots, 21 inside the box and missed four big chances, finishing with an xG of 3.26.

Given Fiorentina’s away struggles, the best advice here seems to be to take the price on the home side to get the job done. A 2-1 home victory is forecast as Fiorentina scored away at Bologna last weekend and should have had more then just the one goal against Rigas FS. Istanbul Basaksehir have scored at least two goals in four of their last five home games.