Back
Besiktas vs Hatayspor: Turkey Super Lig Preview
Round 33 of the Turkish Super Lig gets underway on Friday evening, as Beşiktaş look to reignite their push for European qualification when they host relegation-threatened Hatayspor at the Tupras Stadium.
by Berba
Current Form
Beşiktaş enter this fixture under mounting pressure to recover their footing after a disappointing recent run. The Black Eagles have failed to win any of their last three league outings, drawing 1-1 with Göztepe in their most recent fixture, and now find themselves sitting fifth in the standings with 49 points.
With just one point separating them from fourth-placed Eyüpspor — who have played a game more — and third-placed Samsunspor only two points ahead, Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s side remain firmly in the hunt for a European place. However, with Istanbul Başakşehir trailing just a point behind and having played the same number of matches, the margin for error is shrinking fast.
Meanwhile, Hatayspor arrive in Istanbul desperate for a turnaround, knowing that their top-flight survival is hanging by a thread. Murat Şahin’s side fell to a 3-2 defeat at home to Konyaspor last time out, conceding a 90th-minute goal to suffer their fourth consecutive league loss. During that stretch, they have conceded 11 goals and scored only three — a damaging run that leaves them rooted in the bottom three.
Even if they were to win all of their remaining matches, Hatayspor’s maximum potential points tally is 37, meaning any further slip-ups could all but confirm relegation.
Head-to-Head Record
Beşiktaş have dominated this fixture in recent seasons, going unbeaten in their last four meetings with Hatayspor. However, the last two encounters have ended in draws — results that will be of little use to the hosts as they look to strengthen their European ambitions.
At home, Beşiktaş have never lost to Hatayspor in the league, winning two and drawing two of their previous four meetings in Istanbul. In those four games, the Black Eagles have scored 13 goals and conceded just three.
Key Stats
- Beşiktaş are winless in their last three Super Lig games (D2, L1), scoring just twice in that run.
- Hatayspor have lost four straight league matches, conceding at least twice in each of them.
- The visitors have never won away to Beşiktaş and have conceded 3+ goals in three of their last four visits.
- A loss for Hatayspor, coupled with wins for teams above them, could see them mathematically relegated this weekend.
Team News
Beşiktaş
- Out: Felix Uduokhai (injury), Ernest Muci (injury), Bakhtiyor Zaynutdinov (injury), Arthur Masuaku (suspended)
- Expected changes: Gabriel Paulista is expected to partner in central defence due to Uduokhai’s absence. Solskjær may also consider rotation in midfield and attack as his side looks to rediscover their winning form.
Hatayspor
- Out: Lamine Diack (injury), Cengiz Demir (injury)
- Returning: Cemali Sertel, Burak Yılmaz, and Görkem Sağlam are available again after serving suspensions and should be in contention to start.
What’s at Stake
For Beşiktaş, anything less than victory could prove costly in the increasingly competitive race for European qualification. With just six rounds remaining and their rivals dropping points, a home win is essential to stay in the hunt.
For Hatayspor, it’s do-or-die territory. With survival slipping out of reach, they must defy the odds and claim a result at a venue where they have historically struggled — or risk sealing their fate in the second tier.