Besiktas vs Bursaspor Predictions

Besiktas’ form has improved since returning from the winter break and they are now back in the top three of the Super Lig table, and a win at home against Bursaspor could see them move above local rivals Galatasaray this weekend. The visitors Bursaspor remain unbeaten since the turn of the new year, but are also yet to win, picking up three draws from their last three Super Lig games.

A fantastic first half display from Besiktas saw the visitors lead 3-0 at the break against Antalyaspor, with a thirty-fifth minute penalty from Ljajić breaking the deadlock. Four minutes later Toköz doubled the visitors lead and in the forty-third minute Hutchinson netted a third to end any hopes of a comeback from Antalyaspor. Five minutes into the second half and Doukara scored for the hosts to make it 3-1, but an own goal from the unfortunate Dursun restored Besiktas’ three goal lead. New signing Kagawa scored twice in the space of two minutes after being introduced for his Besiktas debut in the eighty-first minute to make it 6-1, and Chico scored a consolation goal for the hosts to make the final scoreline 6-2.

Bursaspor were left disappointed after only managing to draw at home against Konyaspor, after having 59% of the overall possession. Both teams failed to create a lot of chances in what is fair to say was a forgettable ninety minutes at the Bursa Büyükşehir Belediye Stadyumu, but just before the break Bursaspor were presented with a golden opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty, only for Nayir to miss and the game to remain goalless. Bursaspor were guilty of some poor finishing in the second half, with five attempts going off target and only two troubling Kırıntılı in the visitors goal and in truth a draw was probably a fair result.

We’re expecting plenty of goals from Saturday’s game though, as the recent history between the two clubs and both teams recent results suggests this game will offer goal scoring opportunities for both sides. Besiktas have won five of the last seven meetings between the pair and have outperformed Bursaspor this season, so we’re expecting a home win on Saturday. We’re also predicting goals at each end of the pitch this weekend as both teams have scored in five of the last six encounters between the pair, and four Besiktas’ and three of Bursaspor’s last six matches have also seen both teams score.

Neither side can claim to be in the best of form heading into the game, but Besiktas have won two, drawn two, and lost two of their last six, which is enough to see the hosts head into Saturday’s game as the clear form favourites. Those two wins and one of the draws have arrived in Besiktas’ last three results which suggests they may well have hit a purple patch, especially after that 6-2 win away from home last time out. Pektemek top scores for the hosts with five Super Lig goals this season, while Kara leads the way for Bursaspor with four.

We’re confident that Besiktas will win and that both teams will score on Saturday, with the final score ending 4-1. Besiktas look sharp in front of goal and the addition of Kagawa means the hosts are going to carry even more threat going forward, with the Japanese international’s creativity and eye for goal. Bursaspor are yet to win since the turn of the year and it’s hard to imagine them doing anything but losing away at an in form Besiktas, as their recent history suggests.