Alanyaspor vs Fenerbahce

Fenerbahce will travel to Bahcesehir School Arena on Sunday to take on Alanyaspor in a crucial Turkish Super Lig fixture, with their title aspirations hanging in the balance. The Yellow Canaries find themselves six points adrift of league leaders Galatasaray and will be keen to sustain their pursuit of the championship by securing maximum points from this encounter. The pressure is mounting as the season edges closer to its conclusion, making every game a potential turning point in their campaign.

Jose Mourinho's squad is acutely aware that any misstep at this stage could deal a fatal blow to their hopes of lifting the league trophy. Last weekend, they narrowly avoided such a catastrophe against Caykur Rizespor, enduring a nightmarish start that saw them concede twice within the opening quarter of an hour. Falling behind so early in the match put their title ambitions in jeopardy, but a stroke of fortune just before halftime reignited their chances. Milan Skriniar, making his debut for the club, was fouled inside the penalty area, leading to a spot-kick and the dismissal of a Rizespor player. Edin Dzeko stepped up with composure, dispatching the penalty to cut the deficit in half and provide a much-needed morale boost heading into the break.

The second half saw further twists, particularly in the 78th minute when Rizespor's Rachid Ghezzal was controversially sent off. The Algerian received two yellow cards in quick succession, the first for wasting time while leaving the pitch after being substituted, and the second for verbally abusing the referee. With their opponents reduced to nine men, Fenerbahce seized control, equalizing through Dzeko just a minute later. The dramatic turnaround was completed in the 89th minute when Youssef En-Nesyri rose highest to power home a header, sealing a thrilling 3-2 victory.

Although the performance was far from flawless, the victory was crucial in keeping Fenerbahce in the title race while also extending their winning streak in the Super Lig to six matches. Mourinho's men carried their momentum into the midweek Turkish Cup clash against second-tier Erzurumspor, where they produced a dominant display to register a resounding 5-0 triumph. That emphatic win not only secured their place in the next round but also provided an additional confidence boost ahead of their impending league fixture against Alanyaspor.

Historically, Fenerbahce have enjoyed significant dominance in this fixture, having emerged victorious in 12 of their 20 encounters with Alanyaspor, while suffering only three defeats. Their recent record against this opposition in the Super Lig has been particularly impressive, remaining unbeaten in their last six meetings, winning five of those encounters. This trend will undoubtedly bolster their belief heading into Sunday’s clash.

Meanwhile, Alanyaspor approach this game in high spirits, having recently pulled off a stunning 1-0 victory over Goztepe, a result that ended the latter’s unbeaten home run this season. This remarkable achievement was all the more impressive given that Sami Ugurlu’s squad was missing key players and had to withstand sustained pressure from their opponents. The defensive resilience and clinical edge they displayed in that contest served as a testament to their growing confidence.

Building on that success, Alanyaspor delivered another commanding performance in the Turkish Cup on Thursday, dismantling Fatih Karagumruk 4-1. This back-to-back success in cup and league action has propelled them into a strong position, having now registered three consecutive wins across all competitions. With this positive momentum, Alanyaspor have climbed to ninth place in the Super Lig standings with 28 points, establishing an 11-point buffer above the relegation zone.

Though they will enter Sunday’s fixture as underdogs, Alanyaspor will be quietly optimistic about their chances of causing an upset. Their confidence will be further buoyed by their recent form and the fact that they last defeated Fenerbahce at home in 2019. While overcoming a team of Fenerbahce’s caliber remains a daunting task, their recent performances suggest they will not go down without a fight.

For Fenerbahce, the equation is straightforward: they must keep winning to keep their title hopes alive. Any slip-up could allow Galatasaray to extend their advantage at the top of the table, potentially putting the championship out of reach. Mourinho will undoubtedly emphasize the importance of focus and discipline, ensuring his squad does not underestimate their opponents despite their favorable record in this fixture.

Alanyaspor, on the other hand, will relish the opportunity to test themselves against one of the league’s top sides. With their position in the table relatively secure, they can afford to play with a sense of freedom, knowing that every point earned against a title contender further enhances their credibility. Sami Ugurlu will likely set up his side to be compact in defense while looking to exploit any opportunities on the counterattack.

As the teams prepare to lock horns at Bahcesehir School Arena, all eyes will be on Fenerbahce to see if they can maintain their winning run and keep the pressure on Galatasaray. The stakes are high, and with both sides carrying impressive form into the match, fans can expect a highly competitive and thrilling encounter. Will Fenerbahce’s title charge continue unabated, or will Alanyaspor produce another shock result? The answer will unfold on Sunday.