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All eyes will be on the leading strikers of Türkiye’s football giants as Besiktas and Fenerbahce prepare to meet on Sunday in the 11th week of the Turkish Super Lig.
Fenerbahce, under Italian coach Domenico Tedesco, remains in the title chase in third place, trailing league leaders Galatasaray by six points.
Besiktas, led by Sergen Yalcin, stands fourth, eleven points behind the top. The black-and-whites come into the derby after a 1-1 draw with Kasimpasa, while Fenerbahce cruised past Gaziantep FK 4-0.
English striker Tammy Abraham has been a standout performer for Besiktas this season. The 28-year-old has scored nine goals in total—four in the Super Lig and five in European competition—making him the team’s leading scorer.
Despite missing a penalty against Kasimpasa, Abraham now sets his sights on scoring against Fenerbahce, having already found the net versus Galatasaray earlier in the campaign.
For Fenerbahce, Moroccan forward Youssef En-Nesyri has been the key man up front.
The 28-year-old has registered six goals in the league and one in Europe, bringing his total to seven this season.
After a slow start, En-Nesyri has grown stronger with each match and is expected to be a central figure in the Istanbul derby.
Portuguese forward Rafa Silva, who missed the last game due to injury, is back in contention and will provide an important attacking option for Besiktas.
The 32-year-old has scored five league goals this season in 15 appearances and is widely seen by fans as one of the most reliable scorers heading into the derby.
Brazilian forward Anderson Talisca, who once played for Besiktas between 2016 and 2018, is now thriving in Fenerbahce colors.
The 31-year-old has scored in each of his last four league matches, bringing his total to six goals across domestic and European competitions. Talisca’s recent run of form makes him one of the most in-form players ahead of the weekend clash.
Turkish winger Cengiz Under, on loan at Besiktas from Fenerbahce, has rediscovered his confidence, scoring in two consecutive matches.
He has three goals in seven league appearances this season—all for Besiktas—and is expected to play a major role for coach Sergen Yalcin’s side.
Fenerbahce’s summer signing Kerem Akturkoglu has yet to score in the league, though he has struck three times in UEFA Europa League matches.
The 25-year-old attacker will aim to end his domestic goal drought in the high-stakes derby.
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