Istanbul Basaksehir vs Fenerbahce: Super Lig Preview

For Fenerbahce, the margins are razor-thin. Last weekend’s 1-0 defeat at home to Besiktas—a result that left them eight points behind leaders Galatasaray with just four games to play—was a crushing blow to their championship aspirations. Gedson Fernandes’ first-half strike settled a tightly contested affair, and despite their efforts, Jose Mourinho’s side could not break down their city rivals' disciplined defence. That loss not only left Fenerbahce’s title hopes hanging by a thread but also extended Mourinho’s unwanted record in big games; the Portuguese coach has yet to win in five matches against Galatasaray and Besiktas across all competitions this season, managing one draw and four defeats.

Mourinho’s reign has been turbulent, marked by inconsistent performances and controversy off the pitch, and the looming possibility of an 11th consecutive season without a league title is weighing heavily on the club. With second place already secure, questions linger about how motivated Fenerbahce will be in their final four fixtures, especially against a determined Basaksehir side.

The hosts, by contrast, are a team in resurgence. After a rocky spell, Istanbul Basaksehir have found form at the perfect time, winning five of their last six league matches. They bounced back well from a heavy 4-1 loss to Goztepe with an impressive 4-2 victory over Hatayspor last time out, keeping them within four points of fourth-placed Besiktas and firmly in the hunt for European qualification. Their home form has been solid too, with five wins from their last seven outings at the Basaksehir Fatih Terim Stadium, including back-to-back victories in their most recent fixtures there.

However, Basaksehir will be aiming to snap a six-match losing streak against Fenerbahce, a run that stretches back over recent seasons. Despite that poor head-to-head record, their current momentum and the contrasting morale of their opponents offer a sense of optimism.

In terms of team news, Basaksehir will be without defender Ousseynou Ba due to injury, with Jerome Opoku set to step in at centre-back. Midfielder Onur Ergun is also sidelined, paving the way for Ivan Brnic—who impressed as a substitute in the win over Hatayspor—to earn a starting berth.

Fenerbahce, meanwhile, have several absentees to contend with. Sofyan Amrabat is injured, and Caglar Soyuncu is suspended, with Ismail Yuksek and Mert Muldur expected to take their places. Mert Hakan Yandas, Jayden Oosterwolde, and Rodrigo Becao are also ruled out due to injury. On a positive note, Filip Kostic returns to the starting XI after serving his suspension.

With both sides having plenty to play for but arriving with contrasting form and motivation, this Istanbul derby promises to be a compelling encounter as the Super Lig season approaches its climax.