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Istanbul Basaksehir may prove too strong for stubborn Bursaspor

Visitors have superior quality

Istanbul Basaksehir's Emre Belozoglu
Istanbul Basaksehir's Emre BelozogluCredit: Clive Brunskill

Turkish Super Lig
6pm Friday

Istanbul Basaksehir have dared to upset the established order in Turkish football since their promotion at the end of the 2013-14 season and will have their sights set on winning the Super Lig for the first time.

They have started well, picking up 12 points from a possible 15, and are level on points at the top with champions Galatasaray and early surprise package Kasimpasa.

Head coach Abdullah Avci has overseen Basaksehir's rise and will be expecting his side to extend a three-match winning run when they take on struggling Bursaspor at the Timsah Arena.

The hosts have lost only once this season, but a draw at Rizespor on Sunday made it four stalemates on the spin for the Green Crocodiles, leaving them languishing just one point above the relegation zone.

Bursa finished just six points clear of the drop last season - a marginal improvement on the 2016-17 campaign when they survived by just two points - and are far from the force of old.

While the hosts are proving difficult to break down, Basaksehir have quality in in the form of ex-Premier League players Emmanuel Adebayor, Gokhan Inler and Emre Belozoglu who are still effective in the Turkish league despite their advancing years.

Basaksehir exited the Europa League with a narrow defeat against Burnley but that has allowed them to fully focus on domestic glory and they look worth backing to continue their winning run.

Recommendation
Istanbul Basaksehir
1pt 23-20 Hills

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com


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