Besiktas vs Alanyaspor Predictions

Besiktas are just on the outskirts of the Super Lig title race, but will they fall short with a slip up this weekend? They are up against tough opposition in an Alanyaspor side who are aiming to wrap up a place in the top six this season, but the hosts can’t afford to drop points if they’re going to take the title off Galatasaray. Besiktas haven’t had a brilliant campaign, but with the right results in the next couple of weeks they could finish up as Turkish champions.

The hosts went into the weekend four points shy of the top two, so they’re also chasing Champions League football on top of their push for the Championship. Besiktas did miss out on the top two last term, and a slip here could see them doomed to the Europa League again. They have been doing their bit at home to try and close the gap, so will Monday bring a success for the Istanbul giants?

Alanyaspor do have ambitions of their own, having put themselves in contention for a European place. They are in sixth, with potentially the top five getting into Europe. They do need a favour from leaders Galatasaray, who are in the Turkish Cup final against Akhisarspor – the bottom side in the Super Lig. That does seem like a formality for the current league leaders, so that would open up the visitors’ European hopes, as long as they can overhaul Yeni Malatyaspor in fifth.

With the visitors focused on the result they need, they are likely to be a test for Besiktas. The hosts do have a strong record at the Vodafone Arena, with their recent winning run keeping them in the title hunt. The hosts have won four on the bounce at this ground, while they’ve managed to score twice or more in five of their last six at home. They should be able to add to one of the strongest home records in the league, especially given the visitors’ struggles on the road.

Alanyaspor have picked up just 12 points on the road this term – only 29% of their total. They come into this game with nine defeats on the road, compared to Besiktas and their 10 wins in 15 at their own ground. However, they are going to have to deal with a side who have hit scoring form in recent weeks. The visitors have scored in six of their last seven away games, but they’ve conceded 27 away goals, including six at Galatasaray. Given that 67% of Besiktas’ home matches have seen over 2.5 goals, with the visitors seeing their fair share of entertainment on their travels, we’re going for a home win and over 2.5 goals.